US governor vetoes anti-transgender bathroom bill

AFP, CHICAGO: South Dakota’s governor vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have made the US state the first in the country to ban transgender students from using public bathrooms that match their gender identity.
“House Bill 1008 does not address any pressing issue concerning the school districts of South Dakota,” Governor Dennis Daugaard said of the controversial measure that had been denounced by rights groups.
Daugaard said that rather than having the state interfere, it was best to let local school districts decide on such issues on a case-by-case basis. “If and when these rare situations arise, I believe local school officials are best positioned to address them,” he said.
“Instead of encouraging local solutions, this bill broadly regulates in a manner that invites conflict and litigation, diverting energy and resources from the education of the children of this state.”
The bill had been passed by the Republican-controlled legislature in South Dakota and came amid backlash against a stream of legislative and legal victories for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.

US governor vetoes anti-transgender bathroom bill

AFP, CHICAGO: South Dakotas governor vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have made the US state the first in the country to ban transgender students from using public bathrooms that match their gender identity. House Bill 1008 does not address any pressing issue concerning the school districts of South Dakota, Governor Dennis Daugaard said of the controversial measure that had been denounced by rights groups. Daugaard said that rather than having the state interfere, it was best to let local school districts decide on such issues on a case-by-case basis. If and when these rare situations arise, I believe local school officials are best positioned to address them, he said. Instead of encouraging local solutions, this bill broadly regulates in a manner that invites conflict and litigation, diverting energy and resources from the education of the children of this state. The bill had been passed by the Republican-controlled legislature in South Dakota and came amid backlash against a stream of legislative and legal victories for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights.