LAS VEGAS, NEV (June 4, 2025) — Silver State Equality released the following statement from State Director André C. Wade in response to Governor Joe Lombardo’s veto of two bills: SB 171 that would have ensured transgender Nevadans can access the care they need while protecting providers that offer care to transgender Nevadans; and SB 141, which would have established basic protections for incarcerated transgender Nevadans:
“Today, Governor Joe Lombardo turned his back on LGBTQ+ Nevadans and their families—vetoing two critical protections just days into Pride Month. These bills would have provided critical protections to transgender people seeking healthcare and their medical providers, as well as to transgender people in our criminal justice system. By vetoing SB 171—the Gender-Affirming Care Shield Law—Governor Lombardo has failed to protect Nevada’s health care providers and patients from the dangerous overreach of states that have banned care for transgender people. This bill was a clear opportunity to ensure that transgender Nevadans can access the care they need—and that providers can offer it without fear of legal retaliation. Transgender people in Nevada deserve safety, dignity, and access to life-saving health care. The Governor’s decision puts all of that at risk. The Governor also vetoed SB 141, which would have established basic protections for incarcerated transgender Nevadans—despite signing a similar policy into law in 2023. His reversal is both confusing and alarming. Without these protections, transgender people in jails remain at heightened risk of violence, sexual assault, and psychological harm. Governor Lombardo’s actions are a betrayal of Nevada values and an affront to the LGBTQ+ community. But, despite these setbacks, we will not back down. Silver State Equality, along with our allies and partners in the legislature, will continue to work hard to ensure that Nevada is a place where all LGBTQ+ people have equal rights and are treated with dignity and respect.”
“Today, Governor Joe Lombardo turned his back on LGBTQ+ Nevadans and their families—vetoing two critical protections just days into Pride Month. These bills would have provided critical protections to transgender people seeking healthcare and their medical providers, as well as to transgender people in our criminal justice system.
By vetoing SB 171—the Gender-Affirming Care Shield Law—Governor Lombardo has failed to protect Nevada’s health care providers and patients from the dangerous overreach of states that have banned care for transgender people. This bill was a clear opportunity to ensure that transgender Nevadans can access the care they need—and that providers can offer it without fear of legal retaliation. Transgender people in Nevada deserve safety, dignity, and access to life-saving health care. The Governor’s decision puts all of that at risk.
The Governor also vetoed SB 141, which would have established basic protections for incarcerated transgender Nevadans—despite signing a similar policy into law in 2023. His reversal is both confusing and alarming. Without these protections, transgender people in jails remain at heightened risk of violence, sexual assault, and psychological harm.
Governor Lombardo’s actions are a betrayal of Nevada values and an affront to the LGBTQ+ community. But, despite these setbacks, we will not back down. Silver State Equality, along with our allies and partners in the legislature, will continue to work hard to ensure that Nevada is a place where all LGBTQ+ people have equal rights and are treated with dignity and respect.”
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As Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization, Silver State Equality brings the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in Nevada and throughout the U.S. Silver State Equality strives to create a world that is healthy, just and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. Silver State Equality is a Nevada-based program affiliated with and supported by Equality California and Equality California Institute, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ civil rights organization. More information at SilverStateEquality.org.
