GENERAL ASSEMBLY OVERRIDES BESHEAR’S VETO OF ‘FAIRNESS IN WOMEN’S SPORTS’ ACT’

This bill is just one of many that the General Assembly has overrode

FRANKFORT, KY (April 13, 2022) – Sen. Robby Mills (R-Henderson), sponsor of Senate Bill 83 known as the ‘Fairness in Women’s Sports Act,’ and fellow lawmakers in the state Senate and state House of Representatives successfully overrode Governor Andy Beshear’s veto of the bill on Wednesday.

“This is a huge win for the integrity of women’s sports and with the inevitable enactment of Senate Bill 83 into law,” Mills said. “Kentucky is a leading voice for female athletes across the nation. The Kentucky General Assembly stands in support of female athletes everywhere as they work hard to achieve their goals and dreams.” 

Beshear vetoed the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act on April 6, arguing the bill is unnecessary. In the same veto message, he proved the necessity of the bill by expressing a desire to allow transgender athletes who are biological males to participate in girls’ and women’s sports.

University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines was at the capitol to witness this historic legislation. Gaines is a four-time SEC champion and All-American student-athlete. Gaines also served two years as UK’s team captain and was an Olympic trials qualifier in both 2016 and 2021. 

She recently tied for fifth place against Lia Thomas in the NCAA 200 meter freestyle competition. Thomas, a fifth-year swimmer with the University of Pennsylvania, won the 500 meter freestyle race in March, becoming the first transgender NCAA champion in Division I.  In 2021, Thomas catapulted the team to become a top-20 program in the country after failing to score a single point while competing as a male. Despite tying Gaines for fifth place, Thomas was awarded the trophy and received much attention by the NCAA and media such as ESPN. 

“I know I speak for the majority of female athletes across every NCAA sport when I say biological males should not be competing against women,” said Gaines. “It’s crucial for the NCAA to open its eyes and recognize the irrefutable damage being done to everything Title IX stands for: equity, fairness and creating opportunities for women to succeed at an elite level and in life.”

Senate Bill 83 included an emergency clause, meaning the bill is now law in Kentucky.