Arkansas Legislature Overturns Governor’s Veto of Youth Transgender Transition Ban With Overwhelming Majority

The Arkansas House of Representatives today voted to override Governor Asa Hutchinson’s (R) veto of HB 1570, to create the Arkansas Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act, in a vote of 71 to 24.

The Arkansas House of Representatives has voted to override Governor Hutchinson’s veto of HB 1570, a bill prohibiting anyone under 18 in from undergoing gender reassignment surgery or receiving hormone therapies. It now heads to the Senate.

— Chris May (@KATVChrisMay) April 6, 2021

The Senate then voted to approve the override of Hutchinson’s Veto 25 to 8 Overriding the Veto.

The Arkansas Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto of #HB1570. Here’s how the Senators voted. Downwards arrow #arleg #arpx pic.twitter.com/1YPLJDHrSQ

— Little Rock & Central AR (@IndivisibleLRCA) April 6, 2021

Representative Robin Lundstrum (R-87) spoke in favor of overriding the Governor’s Veto. Lunstrum said in her speech, “They deserve healthcare they deserve not to be experimented on this is not best practices (referencing hormone therapy). The Food and Drug Administration has not approved this because it doesn’t work, these children need care and love. There are going to be children now in ten years from now wondering, where were the adults? where were the people that had the courage to say no?” She then closed with, ” Cowardice asks the question, Is it Safe? Expediency ask the question, Is it politic? But conscience ask the question, Is it right? And there comes a time when one must take the position that is neither safe nor politic nor popular but because conscience tells one it is right. -Martin Luther King. And with that, I would ask for a good Vote”

The house floor then voted overwhelmingly to override the Governor’s Veto in a 71 to 24 and the Senate 25 to 8. This bill will likely face legal challenges in court, and some on Twitter proclaimed their intent to sue if the veto was overridden.

Arkansas House has voted 71-24 to override Gov. Hutchinson’s veto. Senate will vote soon. This is a very likely override and we will sue them. I am sorry it has to come to this. https://t.co/qZiX3AQxnU

— Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) April 6, 2021

WE WILL SUE YOU. But you already hurt so many people.

Stop attacking trans youth.

— Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) April 6, 2021