South Dakota Gov. Vetoes Anti-Transgender Bill

Dangerous Precedent Avoided

March 1, 2016 - Today Governor Daugaard of South Dakota vetoed discriminatory legislation that would have prevented transgender students from using the facilities that match the gender they live every day.

"Thank you Governor Daugaard for meeting with transgender people to see through their eyes that they are our friends, family, and neighbors, worthy of the same fair treatment and dignity as everyone else," said Rebecca Isaacs, Executive Director of Equality Federation. "The more people get to know about the real lives of transgender people, the more empathy prevails. All students, including transgender students, should be able to fully participate and have a fair opportunity to thrive in school."

Equality Federation is tracking dozens of anti-transgender bills across the nation, and this would have been the first one signed into law, setting a dangerous, discriminatory precedent for the state's transgender students. Leading up to today's victory, Equality Federation worked closely with Equality South Dakota and our other partners.

To learn more about Equality Federation and the hundreds of pieces of legislation we are tracking and working to pass or defeat, please visit equalityfederation.org/lac.