Full Breakdown
Wisconsin Governor Vetoes Anti-Trans Bills on Transgender Day of Visibility
4/1/2026, 10:29:35 PM
Governor Evers' Vetoes: A Commitment to LGBTQ+ Rights
On March 31, 2026, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) marked Transgender Day of Visibility by vetoing five anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature. The vetoes occurred during a private ceremony at the Wisconsin State Capitol, where Evers reiterated his commitment to protecting LGBTQ+ rights. He expressed his disapproval of the proposed legislation, stating, “My promise has always been that I will veto any bill that makes Wisconsin a less safe, less inclusive, and less welcoming place for LGBTQ people and kids.”
The vetoed bills included Assembly Bills 100 and 102, which sought to ban transgender women and girls from participating in women’s sports at K-12 schools and the University of Wisconsin, respectively. Assembly Bill 103 would have mandated that schools refrain from using the preferred names and pronouns of trans and nonbinary students without parental consent, effectively forcing schools to disclose a student’s transgender status to potentially unsupportive parents. Additionally, Assembly Bill 104 aimed to prohibit healthcare providers from offering gender-affirming care to minors, while Senate Bill 405 would have allowed minors to sue healthcare providers for any perceived harm from such care until the age of 33.
Legislative Context and Implications
Despite holding majorities in both the Wisconsin Senate and Assembly, Republicans lack the two-thirds supermajority required to override Evers' vetoes. Evers has consistently opposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation throughout his tenure, including previous attempts to restrict gender-affirming care and participation in sports for transgender individuals. His recent actions come amid a broader national trend of anti-trans legislation, with approximately 500 such bills introduced across the United States in 2026 alone.
Mark Spreitzer (D), a Wisconsin state senator, criticized the bills as part of a strategy to “legislate trans people out of public life.” He specifically condemned Senate Bill 405 as a tactic to intimidate healthcare professionals, potentially leading to a chilling effect on the provision of gender-affirming care.
Responses from Advocacy Groups
LGBTQ+ rights organization Fair Wisconsin commended Evers for his vetoes, emphasizing that the bills were designed to exclude trans individuals from public life. They stated, “You have built your professional life on doing what is best for kids... with these vetoes, you protected health care for trans kids and made sure they know they belong and are safe in our schools and welcome on our teams.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Evers' vetoes were celebrated by LGBTQ+ advocates, the political landscape remains contentious. The Supreme Court recently ruled against conversion therapy bans, which could further complicate the situation for transgender youth. Additionally, the ongoing national discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, particularly under the Trump administration, continues to influence state-level legislation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My promise has always been that I will veto any bill that makes Wisconsin a less safe, less inclusive, and less welcoming place for LGBTQ people and kids.” — Tony Evers, Governor of Wisconsin
- “were about excluding trans people from public life, and we cannot allow that, especially when our trans community is being attacked by so many levels of government.” — Fair Wisconsin Statement
Evers' vetoes on Transgender Day of Visibility not only reaffirm his commitment to LGBTQ+ rights but also highlight the ongoing struggle against anti-trans legislation in the United States.
