Governor’s Veto Stands While North Dakota Legislature Advances Bills Attacking Trans Youth

North Dakota politicians are fast-tracking an extreme agenda that takes away freedoms, autonomy, privacy and information

Bismarck, ND — While near total abortion ban SB 2150 remains in committee, the North Dakota legislature has passed an onslaught of bills attacking trans youth, once again inserting the government in personal, private medical decisions. Yesterday, the legislature passed a ban on gender-affirming care and a bill legislating how trans athletes can participate in school sports, which now sit on Governor Burgum’s desk. This follows the legislature failing to override his veto of another attack on transgender people that would’ve regulated pronoun use in schools.

A similar trans sports bill was vetoed by Governor Burgum back in 2021. All these bills work together to create a hostile environment for trans and gender diverse youth in North Dakota. LGBTQ+ youth need to be supported and protected instead of further stigmatized by lawmakers.

Statement from Katie Christensen, North Dakota State Director, External Affairs for Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund:

“Governor Burgum's veto was a necessary first step to protecting the rights of trans kids, and I hope he vetoes this next stack of hateful bills. Harmful legislation further stigmatizes, isolates, and negates the lived experiences of gender diverse people. Gender-expansive youth and their families deserve our support. People should be allowed to express themselves authentically, without interference from politicians. North Dakotans deserve better.”

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Founded in 1992, the Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization. As the advocacy and electoral arm of PPMNS, we mobilize supporters of all parties to defend and increase access to family planning services and fact based, medically accurate sexuality education. We work to inspire and engage citizens to take up the cause of reproductive health and rights through education, electoral activity, grassroots organizing and legislative advocacy.

Visit us at www.plannedparenthoodadvocate.org

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