North Dakota Gov. Burgum Vetoes Discriminatory, Anti-Trans Sports Bill

Today, Gov. Doug Burgum vetoed a bill that would have prohibited transgender K-12 students from playing sports on teams that match their gender identity.

The ACLU of North Dakota opposed House Bill 1298, legislation that violated both the United States Constitution and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act, which protects all students – including those who are transgender – from discrimination based on sex.

The following statement can be attributed to Libby Skarin, ACLU of North Dakota campaigns director:

“House Bill 1298 was never about leveling the playing field for student athletes. It was obvious from the beginning that this discriminatory legislation was about creating solutions to problems that don’t exist and, in the process, harming some of the most vulnerable people in our state. Nobody wins when politicians try to meddle in people’s lives like this. Nobody wins when we try to codify discrimination like this. We’re thrilled with Gov. Burgum’s decision to veto this bill.”