Katie Hobbs vetoes bill on sex-specific spaces
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed SB 1628, a bill aimed at defining “sex” as a person’s biological sex for all purposes of state law. The bill sought to preserve single-sex spaces and clarify definitions to ensure the safety and well-being of women and girls in Arizona.
Every Democrat in the Arizona State Senate and House of Representatives voted against the legislation. Critics argue that this decision disregards the safety concerns of over 3.5 million women and girls living in Arizona.
Senate President Warren Petersen commented, "Instead of helping these confused boys and men, Democrats are only fueling the dysfunction by pretending biological sex doesn't matter." He expressed concerns about increased risks for women in public bathrooms, showers, and locker rooms.
Bill sponsor Sine Kerr added, "This commonsense bill would have also stopped the injustices of allowing bigger and stronger biological males to compete on female-only sports teams." She cited examples where females were physically injured or lost opportunities due to male competitors.
The debate around SB 1628 reflects broader national discussions on gender identity and sex-specific rights. Proponents argue it is necessary for maintaining fairness and safety for women, while opponents view it as discriminatory against transgender individuals.
For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
kquintero@azleg.gov
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