North Carolina lawmakers override governor's vetoes on three transgender bills

The North Carolina legislature on Wednesday overrode vetoes from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to pass bills barring transgender care for minors, limiting discussion of gender and sex in schools, and restricting participation in sports on the basis of one's biological sex.

Republicans hold veto-proof majorities in both chambers of the legislature and previously overrode Cooper's veto to impose a 12-week abortion ban.

Cooper, in July, vetoed the "Fairness in Women's Sports Act," which would prevent biological men from competing against women in sports. He further blocked the "Act to Prohibit Gender Transition Procedures for Minors," the aim of which is presumably self-evident, and the "Parents' Bill of Rights," which would bar kindergarten through fourth grade teachers from discussing gender identity or sexuality in the classroom.

The state House voted 74-45 to override Cooper on the transgender care ban, the vote to override him on the sports bill was also 74-45 in the House, and the lower chamber overruled Cooper on the parental rights bill by a narrower, 72-47 margin. The state Senate dockets indicate that the upper chamber supported the overrides in all votes, but have not posted the vote totals as of press time.

North Carolina's adoption of a transgender care ban makes it the 22nd state to pass such a law and the 19th this year, The Hill reported.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.