Kentucky Governor Defends Transgender Sports Record Amidst Republican Criticism
Governor Andy Beshear stated that Democrats do not "throw anybody under the bus" when asked about his veto of a bill that would have banned transgender students from participating in girls' sports.
Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear defended his approach to transgender issues during a recent appearance on CNN's "State of the Union," asserting that his party prioritizes compassion and empathy and does not abandon any group.
Beshear's comments came as he faced renewed criticism from the Republican National Committee (RNC) regarding his veto of Kentucky's Senate Bill 83 in 2022. The bill, passed by the Republican-controlled legislature, prohibited male students from competing on girls' athletic teams from sixth grade through college. The legislature later overrode Beshear's veto.
During the CNN interview, Beshear addressed the veto, stating, "Sports need to be fair, and there should be no unfair advantage. But, in Kentucky, we already had rules in place with our Kentucky High School Athletic Association that prevented any of the things that you saw ultimately in colleges or the rest." He indicated that existing rules were sufficient and that government intervention in sports could be detrimental.
RNC National Press Secretary Natalie Baldassarre issued a statement accusing Beshear of prioritizing transgender policies over the safety of female athletes. "Democrats claim to be the party of women," Baldassarre stated, "But they can't define what a woman is and have no issues when men expose themselves in locker rooms or take over women’s sports. Andy Beshear can pretend he’s for fairness, but his woke trans record shows he traded girls' safety for applause from men in dresses."
Legislative records indicate that SB 83 specifically addressed athletics by requiring teams to be designated based on biological sex and prohibiting male students' participation. Separate legislation, Senate Bill 150, which Beshear also vetoed in 2023, included provisions restricting transgender medical treatments for minors and mandating school policies that limit students' use of restrooms and locker rooms based on their biological sex. Lawmakers also overrode Beshear's veto of SB 150.
In his 2022 veto message for SB 83, Beshear argued that the existing Kentucky High School Athletic Association rules, which generally aligned with participation based on birth certificates but allowed for transgender athletes meeting specific medical requirements, were adequate. His veto of SB 150 was defended on grounds of parental rights and mental health, with his campaign clarifying in 2023 that his opposition was based on multiple aspects of the bill, not solely the prohibition of sex-change surgeries for minors. Representatives for Beshear did not immediately respond to a request for comment.