NC governor vetoes anti-DEI, transgender rights bills

[Jessica_Rose]

NC governor vetoes anti-DEI, transgender rights bills

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/nc-governor-vetoes-anti-dei-transgender-rights-bills/ar-AA1I04TT?ocid=windirect&cvid=8060f5e23d7b4636ada2d7bc243c8156&ei=26

Story by Steff Danielle Thomas (4 July 2025)

North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) on Thursday vetoed three bills targeting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the state government, as well as a measure that takes aim at transgender rights.

With the anti-DEI bills — Senate Bill 227, Senate Bill 558 and House Bill 171 — the GOP-led state legislature sought to eliminate what it called "discriminatory practices" in public education with threats to cut funding and to prevent local and state government agencies from promoting or maintaining DEI programs or policies.

The fourth bill, House Bill 805, included a provision to prevent state-funded gender affirming surgeries or hormone therapy for prisoners. It also includes language recognizing only two genders and would require the state to keep a transgender person's original birth certificate attached to any updated one.

The bills now head back to the North Carolina General Assembly, where Republicans need support from 60 percent of both chambers to override Stein's veto. The state House is one seat short of a veto-proof majority, and no Democrats voted for the anti-DEI bills, The Associated Press reported.