STATEHOUSE (May 24, 2022) – State Reps. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) and Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) today joined the majority of Indiana's lawmakers in successfully overriding the governor's veto of legislation protecting the integrity of girls' sports.
House and Senate legislators voted on Tuesday at the Statehouse to override the governor's veto of House Enrolled Act 1041, which prohibits biological males from competing in K-12 girls' sports in Indiana. The vote came as part of technical corrections day, where lawmakers can take up any vetoes and fix technical errors in laws passed during the prior session.
"Young women learn so many valuable lessons through athletics, such as teamwork and determination," McNamara said. "Overriding this veto is about protecting the integrity of K-12 girls' sports."
Indiana will join at least 16 other states that have similar laws on the books protecting female sports. Ledbetter said concerned parents reached out after an increasing number of biological males have dominated the national spotlight in girls' athletic events across the nation.
"We have so many hardworking female athletes in our state, with many going off to do amazing things at collegiate or professional levels," Ledbetter said. "Still, we can't deny that there's a scientific difference between biological men and women, and fairness in girls' sports should be protected."
There are certain biological differences that give males an unfair advantage over females in sports, like greater muscle mass, bone density and cardio capacity. Ledbetter said the vote Tuesday was especially important as June marks the 50th anniversary of Title IX, which ensures women have an equal opportunity to play and compete in sports.
In Indiana, a gubernatorial veto can be overridden with a constitutional majority vote in both chambers, and the bill becomes a law without the governor's signature. For more information about House Enrolled Act 1041, effective on July 1, 2022, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Cindy Ledbetter (R-Newburgh) represents House District 75,
which includes portions of Pike, Spencer and Warrick counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-Evansville) represents House District 76,
which includes portions of Posey and Vanderburgh counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
