Montana Governor Signs Anti-Trans Sports Bill Despite Opposition

Greg Gianforte, the governor of Montana, ratified a statute that is anti-transgender.

[{"selector":"#anim-4a8db394-ad96-4951-9e8f-888122f4ad30","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dc60133a-a402-4533-bf05-43f098b606ee [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

The proposed legislation forbids transgender athletes from joining school sports teams that reflect their gender identification.

[{"selector":"#anim-ce866b0a-c5bb-497f-a771-9ac706b02a1c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-06828f65-9e40-4274-bee8-b6fff1d35e57 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

Despite criticism from the transgender community and their allies, the governor's decision was made.

[{"selector":"#anim-b188506c-d08c-4bf5-aef8-fd4084d52cbf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e9c5e4ef-d8c1-415b-be8e-83ebdc65d401 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

John Fuller, a Republican state representative, presented the measure.

[{"selector":"#anim-5a465824-47d2-4634-85f9-ef7d6b7de164","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5b9aad32-3e5e-4309-92cd-0ce206784a7c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

Several states, including Montana, have recently passed legislation of a similar nature.

[{"selector":"#anim-f7bf8b4d-fa30-40a7-8e32-7576a8eb6bc9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8b1fb832-958c-4580-b6f8-9ece1cefacaa [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

The measure has come under fire for prejudice against young transgender people.

[{"selector":"#anim-3d8c05ad-18ec-490a-a09f-6fec3e0639b1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9b7b16dc-f7f2-4a63-9289-bbf927ae3e3c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

The governor's transgender son had requested that he reject the measure, but in vain.

[{"selector":"#anim-e1debc84-7381-47ac-ade7-378c385129bb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bacc1692-0600-4c36-9a07-2f44557e46bc [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]

Advocates are anticipated to file legal challenges to the measure.

[{"selector":"#anim-0409e93e-743b-4f74-a1c9-8acf7d5e0df6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-840edc6b-00aa-4c97-9e1b-05611bffe403 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}]