LAS VEGAS, Nev. (March 20, 2026) – Silver State Equality, Nevada’s statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, released the following statement from State Director André C. Wade in response to the Nevada Commission on Ethics finding that Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony violated state ethics laws by using state resources to support a task force aimed at keeping transgender athletes out of women’s sports.
“Silver State Equality commends the Nevada Commission on Ethics for holding Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony accountable for misusing state resources to advance his politically motivated task force targeting transgender athletes. In an era when public trust is too often undermined by corruption and disregard of the law, acts of accountability matter and deserve recognition. Still, the broader concern extends beyond this single ruling. Anthony and Governor Lombardo continue to push policies – as well as a dangerous initiative that may still qualify for the November ballot – that attack transgender Nevadans as a political strategy, creating confusion and division in school communities and potentially making environments less safe for all students, especially female athletes. The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association already changed its policy on transgender sports participation. Lombardo’s proposed ballot measure is an unnecessary use of time and money when the focus should be on the real issues facing young people like the lack of school funding and mental health resources. These blanket bans to prevent transgender athletes from participating in any sport activity based on their gender identity and expression do more harm than good. The responsible path forward is to work together, focus on practical solutions, and commit to ensuring every student is treated equally under the law.”
“Silver State Equality commends the Nevada Commission on Ethics for holding Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony accountable for misusing state resources to advance his politically motivated task force targeting transgender athletes. In an era when public trust is too often undermined by corruption and disregard of the law, acts of accountability matter and deserve recognition.
Still, the broader concern extends beyond this single ruling. Anthony and Governor Lombardo continue to push policies – as well as a dangerous initiative that may still qualify for the November ballot – that attack transgender Nevadans as a political strategy, creating confusion and division in school communities and potentially making environments less safe for all students, especially female athletes.
The Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association already changed its policy on transgender sports participation. Lombardo’s proposed ballot measure is an unnecessary use of time and money when the focus should be on the real issues facing young people like the lack of school funding and mental health resources.
These blanket bans to prevent transgender athletes from participating in any sport activity based on their gender identity and expression do more harm than good. The responsible path forward is to work together, focus on practical solutions, and commit to ensuring every student is treated equally under the law.”
###
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
