Arkansas Governor Vetoes Bill That Would Ban Transgender Treatments for Youth

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson Monday vetoed a bill that would have banned transgender treatments for youth in the state. The bill, known as the Safe Act, would prohibit doctors from providing hormone treatment, medication or surgery to anyone under 18, or from referring them to other providers for the treatment. Arkansas would have been the first state to take such a move; however, its majority-Republican legislature could still enact the policy using a simple majority to override the governor’s veto. Hutchinson’s veto comes after when he signed into a law a bill that bans transgender women and girls from playing female sports just one week ago. The Arkansas bills is among a number of state legislation that Republicans have introduced on transgender issues this year; at least 16 other states are considering similar legislation. The story received coverage from across the political spectrum. Some left-rated outlets included personal interviews from transgender people in their articles, while center- and right-rated outlets tended to focus on the details of the bill. Update: The Arkansas legislature voted Tuesday afternoon to override Gov. Hutchinson's veto.