AZ Gov. Ducey signs three bills protecting women, children

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel and Vice President of Advocacy Strategy Emilie Kao regarding Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s signing Wednesday of SB 1165, a bill that protects opportunities for women and girls in athletics by ensuring they are not forced to compete against men playing on women’s sports teams, and SB 1138, a bill that protects Arizona’s children by ensuring they do not undergo harmful, experimental “gender reassignment” surgeries:

“Girls deserve to compete on a level playing field. When the law ignores biological differences, women and girls bear the brunt of the harm. Arizona now joins a strong coalition of states that recognize that and have acted to preserve fair competition for all females, whether in grade school or college. SB 1165 protects athletic opportunities for women and girls and gives them vital legal recourse against unfair policies that arise. In light of the recent failure of some governors in other states to support meaningful protections for female athletes, we are especially grateful to Gov. Ducey and the Arizona Legislature for enacting this vital legislation. Additionally, we commend the governor for signing SB 1138 and protecting the ability of Arizona’s children to have a natural childhood, free from the pressure to undergo surgical procedures that leave them permanently sterile and physically marred for life. The governor and Arizona lawmakers took a vital stand for Arizona’s children and female athletes by enacting these two important bills.”

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Denise Burke regarding Gov. Ducey’s signing Wednesday of SB 1164, a bill that protects the health of pregnant mothers, the dignity of unborn children, and the integrity of the medical profession by limiting abortions after 15 weeks in gestational age:

“Every human life is valuable and worthy of protection. Arizona has taken a commonsense step toward protecting unborn children and their mothers from the harms of late-term abortion. This bill advances Arizona’s important interest in protecting the lives of unborn children who have a beating heart and can move, taste, see, and feel pain. The bill also promotes women’s physical and emotional health and well-being by recognizing that women deserve real healthcare, not dangerous procedures that are unnecessary and devastating. We commend Gov. Ducey and the Arizona Legislature for taking a stand for true women’s healthcare and the protection of innocent life by enacting this legislation.”

Alliance Defending Freedom is an alliance-building, non-profit legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, parental rights, and the sanctity of life.

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