Joseph Backholm: NC Values Coalition Government Affairs Advisor on NC Gender Legislation

Governor Josh Stein has vetoed House Bill 805, a measure that would have legally defined North Carolina as recognizing only two sexes—male and female—while rejecting gender identity as a legal or biological equivalent. The bill also sought to limit where transgender students could sleep during overnight school trips and restrict state funding for gender-affirming care. In his veto message, Stein called the bill discriminatory and harmful to vulnerable youth.Joseph Backholm, Government Affairs Advisor for the NC Values Coalition, joined Jeff Hamlin to share his thoughts on the governor’s decision and the future of the legislation.