SALT LAKE CITY — The controversial bill that proposes to ban transgender athletes from participating in female sports in Utah public schools has been changed to allow some participation.
The new version of House Bill 302 introduced Wednesday will allow transgender girls to be part of the team and practice, but will still be banned from competing.
Gov. Spencer Cox had already said he planned on vetoing the previous version of the bill that had passed in the Utah House.
"These kids are, they’re just trying to stay alive," said Cox. "There’s a reason none of them are playing sports and I just think there’s a better way."
Cox has not yet commented on the amended version of the bill.
Supporters of the initial version of the bill claimed it's about fairness in athletics, and that women should not have to compete with someone who was once biologically male. Critics argued the bill ostracizes an already vulnerable group of people.
