Arizona and Oklahoma have become the latest states to finalize legislation banning transgender youth from participating in sports in accordance with their gender identity — and Governor Doug Ducey of Arizona has also approved a bill targeting gender-affirming care for trans youth.
Ducey and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signed the anti-trans bills into law on March 30 — the eve of Transgender Day of Visibility — and both governors borrowed from the prevailing GOP narrative to explain away their decisions to pass legislation against trans youth. Stitt said his state is “protecting women’s sports” and “ensuring a level playing field,” while Ducey attempted to stay ahead of any criticism of the sports and health bills by saying the legislative effort aims to “address these two specific issues while ensuring that transgender individuals continue to receive the same dignity, respect, and kindness as every individual in our society.” There is nothing in the legislation that purports to be supportive of trans individuals.
