South Dakota Governor Signs Anti-Trans Bill into Law

Yet another bill has been signed into law that targets trans youth specifically. This time, it’s in South Dakota.

South Dakota—thanks to governor Kristi Noem—recently became the tenth state in the U.S. to pass a law that actively targets trans youth, specifically with regard to sports. The bill, SB46, prohibits trans students from competing on gendered sports teams and Noem’s crusade to get it passed seemed to particularly target trans girls. The passing of SB46 comes just months after Texas passed a nearly identical anti-transgender bill.

According to reporting by them, the bill also makes it extremely difficult for trans youth to file lawsuits for any harm suffered as a result of this law or violations of it. In other words, athletes cannot sue any school or district, and if they wish to pursue legal action, must sue the state itself.

However, despite apparent support of the bill within the state, the White House recently—and publicly—condemned South Dakota for attacking trans youth. A statement released by White House Assistant Press Secretary Kevin Munoz openly accused Republican lawmakers of passing anti-transgender bills in order to “bully” and “undermine our nation’s core values.” Munoz goes on to say that bills such as SB46 “don’t keep kids safe,” but rather put them even more at risk of harm.

So for the state of South Dakota—or rather, its trans and LGBTQ community and allies—this is yet another setback. Hopefully, one that can be remedied in the future to protect trans youth and trans athletes. Maybe even the Olympics can eventually get on board, too.

Oh, and for those wondering, Governor Noem’s anti-transgender bill isn’t the only problematic legislature she’s advocating for; she’s attempting to ban Critical Race Theory in schools throughout the state, too.

The one good thing coming out of South Dakota? The initial anti-transgender bill that aimed to criminalize health care for trans youth died in committee last week.