SPLC Action Fund Response to Louisiana Senate Override of Governor’s Veto of Transphobic Senate Bill 156

BATON ROUGE, La. – Yesterday, the Louisiana Senate overrode Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards veto of Senate Bill 156, an anti-transgender bill that would ban transgender girls and women from participating in sports aligning with their gender identity.

The following statement is from Terry Landry, SPLC Action Fund Policy Director:

“The SPLC is disappointed that the Louisiana State Senate, in an effort to solve a problem that never existed, voted in line with their own transphobic sentiments by overriding Gov. John Bel Edwards veto of Senate Bill 156.

“Instead of supporting the students they were elected to protect, the Senate’s irrational and unfounded fears has the potential to harm the state’s economy. Whether cisgender or transgender, this override is a gut punch to those who simply want to live as their authentic selves. For some, this happens to include playing sports.

“We urge members of the Louisiana House to be the stopgap for transgender youth by blocking the veto override instead using their power to divide and discriminate."