Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) signed bills addressing abortion and transgender rights.
According to NBC News, the bills will “outlaw abortion after 15 weeks if the U.S. Supreme Court allows it, prohibit gender confirmation surgery for minors and ban transgender girls from playing on girls sports teams.”
Ducey explained in a signing letter there is “immeasurable value in every life — including preborn life.”
He added, “I believe it is each state’s responsibility to protect them.”
The president of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, Brittany Fonteno, issued a statement in response to the 15-week abortion ban.
“These unrelenting attacks on abortion care and access in Arizona continue after more than a decade of legislative interference that is harmful to pregnant people and their families. Make no mistake — the legislators who voted in favor of this law in the House and Senate will not stop at a 15-week ban,” Fonteno said.
She added, “They will continue to chip away at abortion care until abortion is illegal in Arizona.”
"Make no mistake — the legislators who voted in favor of this law in the House and Senate will not stop at a 15-week ban. They will continue to chip away at abortion care until abortion is illegal in Arizona." #1164 #azleg pic.twitter.com/qoFXcZR9sv
— Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona (@ppazaction) March 24, 2022
On transgender girls competing in sports, Ducey said, “Every young Arizona athlete should have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities that give them a sense of belonging and allow them to grow and thrive.”
Angela Hughey, president and founder of ONE Community, blasted Ducey for signing the bills, saying, “My biggest concern is that the governor has decided to put the most vulnerable members of Arizona’s LGBTQ community at greater risk.”
She continued, “It is clear that he does not understand that as governor his duty as the CEO of the state of Arizona is to protect all Arizonans.”
Hughey explained, “LGBTQ youth, and in particular trans youth, have a higher rate of suicidal ideation, and so we know that these are our most vulnerable kids, and we really need to do everything we can to make sure they have the opportunity to thrive as the young people that they are.”