Washington D.C., Mar 22, 2021 / 15:00 pm
The group Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is criticizing South Dakota's governor for "gutting" a bill prohibiting transgender athletes from playing women's sports.
After Gov. Kristi Noem (R) on Friday vetoed House Bill 1217, which clarified that only biological women could play women's sports, she offered an amended version that wouldn't apply to college sports, and which did not include legal remedies for girls alleging Title IX violations. Noem promised on Monday to uphold the integrity of girls sports.
However, Noem is being criticized by conservatives, including Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal group that defends religious freedom. ADF says that Noem's version of the bill is "hollow."
"While we appreciate that Gov. Noem has now taken an interest in coalitions aimed at protecting girls and women's athletic opportunities, she is not only late to the game, but she is now trying to play coach," ADF general counsel Kristin Waggoner stated on Monday.