Tony Evers has vetoed a slate of Republican-backed bills that would have restricted access to gender-affirming healthcare and limited participation for transgender athletes, reaffirming his administration’s stance on LGBTQ+ protections.
The vetoes, issued March 31, block five separate measures passed by the Republican-controlled legislature. The proposals targeted multiple areas of transgender life, including healthcare access for minors, participation in school sports, and policies governing name and pronoun use in schools.
Among the most significant provisions were a ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors and legislation that would have prevented transgender girls and women from participating in female school sports teams. Another measure would have created a pathway for individuals to sue healthcare providers over gender-affirming care, raising concerns among medical professionals about legal risks and patient access.
Evers, a Democrat, made his position clear in blunt terms during a private event at the state Capitol, stating he would reject legislation he views as harmful to LGBTQ residents. His office later formalized the vetoes, emphasizing that the proposals would “codify discrimination into state statute.”
The timing of the vetoes coincided with International Transgender Day of Visibility, a symbolic moment that advocates say underscores the stakes of ongoing legislative battles nationwide. LGBTQ advocacy groups in Wisconsin praised the decision, calling it a continuation of Evers’ “unwavering support” for transgender residents and families.
Republican lawmakers, who have made transgender-related policies a central issue in recent election cycles, argued the bills were intended to address fairness in sports and parental involvement in children’s medical decisions. However, Democrats and civil rights groups countered that such measures disproportionately target transgender youth and could negatively impact mental health and safety.
This is not the first time Evers has used his veto power to block similar legislation. He has repeatedly pledged to reject bills that, in his view, make Wisconsin “less inclusive” for LGBTQ people, particularly transgender youth.
Because Republicans do not hold a veto-proof majority in the Wisconsin Legislature, the bills are unlikely to become law unless political dynamics shift.
The vetoes highlight a broader national divide as transgender rights continue to be a focal point in state legislatures and upcoming elections. For now, Evers’ decision ensures that existing policies governing healthcare access and school participation for transgender individuals in Wisconsin remain unchanged.
