JUST IN: North Carolina Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto On Child Sex-Change Ban

The North Carolina House of Representatives voted 73-46 Wednesday to override Democrat Governor Roy Cooper’s veto on a bill that will ban gender re-assignment surgeries for minors. If the GOP-controlled Senate opts to likewise override the bill in a vote later this evening — which they are expected to do — North Carolina will became the 23rd state to ban “gender-affirming care” for minors under the age of 18.

If adopted, the bill will ban doctors from prescribing hormone therapy, hormone blockers and surgical gender reassignment surgeries for anyone under the age of 18. Minors who began “treatment” prior to August 1 will be able to continue if parental consent is obtained, or if a doctor deems it “medically necessary.”

Wednesday’s vote took place just minutes after the House voted to override Cooper’s veto on a separate bill that would ban biological males from competing in girls/women’s sporting events in middle school, high school and college.

“The legislature finally comes back to pass legislation that discriminates, makes housing less safe, blocks FEMA disaster recovery funding, hurts the freedom to vote and damages our economy,” Cooper wrote in a press release pertaining to the veto override session.

Gov. Cooper comment on veto override actions: pic.twitter.com/MTqE4RfOd0

— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) August 16, 2023

Republicans gained a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers of the state legislature for the first time since 2018 after Democratic State Rep. Tricia Cotham crossed over to the Republican Party this past April.

Local LGBTQ+ groups have vowed to challenge the gender re-assignment ban in court if adopted. It is expected to be adopted, as the Senate has already voted to override Cooper’s veto on the women’s sports bill.