Kentucky Democratic Governor Andy Beshear appeared on CNN’s ‘State of the Union’ to discuss his record on transgender issues, focusing on a controversial veto he issued in 2022. This veto had rejected Kentucky’s Senate Bill 83, which aimed to bar male students from participating in girls’ athletic teams from sixth grade through college. Despite Beshear’s disapproval, the Republican-controlled legislature later overrode his veto.
During the interview, Beshear emphasized that the Democratic Party’s values do not involve marginalizing individuals. He reiterated the importance of compassion and empathy in party policies. Beshear expressed concerns about governmental interference in sports and claimed that it could lead to negative consequences.
“We don’t throw anybody under the bus,” Beshear stated. “If we want to ruin sports, put government in charge of them.”
Beshear’s stance has faced criticism from Republican circles, notably from RNC National Press Secretary Natalie Baldassarre. Baldassarre accused the governor of prioritizing transgender policies over the interests of female athletes. She challenged the Democratic party’s position on women’s rights, particularly concerning issues in sports and locker room privacy.
Governor Beshear defended his perspective, insisting that sports should maintain fairness without discriminating against transgender individuals. He argued that Kentucky’s existing regulations ensured competitive fairness, as the Kentucky High School Athletic Association had rules in place to govern athletic participation based on biological sex.
Senate Bill 83, known as the ‘Save Women’s Sports Act,’ focused solely on sports participation and did not address medical treatments for transgender minors. A separate legislative action, Senate Bill 150, covered these healthcare aspects, with Beshear also vetoing this measure in 2023. This bill sought to restrict transgender medical interventions for minors and set policies on school facilities use based on biological sex.
Beshear clarified that his veto messages aimed to balance parental rights and mental health considerations, rather than specifically targeting transgender healthcare prohibitions.
Fox News sought further comments from Beshear but did not receive an immediate response.