—A transgender and gender nonconforming advocacy group, The Transformation Project, sued the state of South Dakota for terminating a contract with the organization, as reported by the Associated Press. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem and her health secretary apologized for the incident and agreed to pay $300,000 for the settlement.
—Signed two executive orders in 2021 banning transgender girls and women from competing on women’s sports teams at public high schools and colleges in South Dakota.
—Signed into law HB 1080 banning age-appropriate, medically necessary transgender health care for transgender youth in South Dakota. Every major medical association and leading world health authority supports health care for transgender people and youth.
—Celebrated the passage of a bill (HB 1217) that would have barred transgender girls and women from playing sports with other women, but later vetoed it citing potential legal backlash from the NCAA. However, she still supported the intent of the bill.
—Signed a Religious Freedom Restoration Act in South Dakota, which LGBTQ+ advocates say sanctioned discrimination against queer people under the guise of upholding religious liberty.
—Opposes marriage equality for same-sex couples.