Grand Canyon Times

Gov. Doug Ducey (R-Ariz.) responded on Twitter to criticism after The Associated Press reported that he refused to say if transgender people actually exist. The governor recently signed legislation limiting the rights of transgender people, according to The Washington Post.

"The media is once again attempting to divide people," Ducey said. "Yesterday, I was asked an absurd and offensive question: Do transgender individuals exist? Of course, they do."

Ducey was asked about transgender people for an article about his signatures on bills banning transgender girls and women from playing on girls' high school and women's college sports teams, The Washington Post reported.

The governor paused for several seconds when asked if he believed that there "are really transgender people," according to The Washington Post.

"I'm going to ask you to read the legislation and to see that the legislation that we passed was in the spirit of fairness to protect girls' sports in competitive situations," Ducey said, as reported by The Washington Post. "That's what the legislation is intended to do, and that's what it does."

When asked a second time if there "are actually transgender people," the governor responded, "I ... am going to respect everyone, and I’m going to respect everyone's rights. And I'm going to protect female sports. And that’s what the legislation does," The Washington Post reported.     

"We can ensure transgender individuals continue to receive the same dignity, respect, and kindness as every other individual in our society while protecting female sports and children," Ducey said on Twitter.