NC governor vetoes anti-DEI, transgender rights bills

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.

Stein, in his veto messages, said the bills were "riddled with vague definitions."

"Our diversity is our strength. We should not whitewash history, ban books, or treat our teachers with distrust and disdain," he wrote in one veto. "Rather than fearing differing viewpoints and cracking down on free speech, we should ensure our students can learn from diverse perspectives and form their own opinions."

In another, the first-term governor suggested the legislation would "make it harder" for the state to provide high quality services to its residents.

"My administration is focused on building the strongest team possible by hiring and supporting the best employees. We cannot recruit and retain them without creating a welcoming work environment," Stein wrote. "We make our most effective decisions when there is a diverse set of perspectives around the table."

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 effort follows similar moves in conservative states and at the federal level. President Trump, upon his return to office, issued several executive orders that targeted federal DEI programs and diversity initiatives in public education as well as sweeping actions against transgender athletes and service members — though his moves have faced legal action.

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.

State Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R) vowed to continue fighting for the legislation in a post online, suggesting the governor "chose to bow down to a radical ideology that harms women."

"He’s choosing to ignore the clear will of the people who are tired of politically correct nonsense," Berger wrote on social platform X. "I’m prepared to lead the Senate in overriding Gov. Stein’s vetoes and stand up for the North Carolinians he claims to represent."

State House Speaker Destin Hall (R) echoed the remarks, claiming he "vetoed this bill and sided with radical activists over the overwhelming majority of North Carolinians."

"We will keep fighting," he posted on X.

The Associated Press contributed.