Dominic Smithers
A controversial bill banning trans athletes from competing in girls' sports has been squashed.
Two bills put forward by Republicans proposed banning transgender athletes and giving parents the power to question topics being taught in schools.
However, Kansas Democratic Governor Laura Kelly put an end to hopes of them being passed last week after vetoing them.
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In a statement, she said: "We all want a fair and safe place for our kids to play and compete. However, this bill … came from politicians trying to score political points."
More than 100 parents also testified against the second bill, which Kelly said would have caused more division within classrooms.
"Money that should be spent in the classroom would end up being spent in the courtroom," she said.
"That’s unacceptable, especially after our efforts to bring Democrats and Republicans together to fully fund our schools for the last four years.
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"I look forward to working with the Legislature in a bipartisan fashion on a bill that gives parents a seat at the table without harming school funding or exacerbating the issues facing our teachers."
Republicans in support of the bills have promised to try and override the decision at some point in the future.
Senate President Ty Masterson said: "The Fairness in Women’s Sports Act is about just that, fairness.
"It simply sets guidelines that ensure the fair playing field continues for women that we have recognised for decades."
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Had it been passed, the bill would have banned biological males from competing in girls' and women's sports from elementary school to university.
However, biological females would have been allowed to play in boys' and men's teams.
The difference was drawn between the two because of the physical advantages male athletes have over women.
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Lia Thomas's performance in swimming was offered as evidence for this.
Having previously swam as a male, Thomas now competes against women and was recently crowned the NCAA champion.
Thomas became the first openly transgender athlete to win the first division swimming championship last month, 17 March, as a result of her success in the women's 500-yard (457-metre) freestyle race.
The race marked the 22-year-old's final competition as a college athlete at the University of Pennsylvania, though the win has prompted complaints from some who argue the result was unfair due to Thomas' transition, which she began in 2019 with hormone replacement therapy.
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If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]