Press Releases

As the leading civil rights organization in our state, the ACLU of South Dakota believes in keeping the public informed about the state of their civil liberties. The work we do at the legislature, in the courts, and in our communities is important, but there is no better defender of civil rights than a public that is informed and engaged. For media inquiries, email [email protected].

Mar 29, 2021

Lawmakers Fail to Override Noem’s Veto of House Bill 1217

Nobody wins when we try to codify discrimination like this. We’re thrilled with the decision by South Dakota lawmakers to kill this bill.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Mar 25, 2021

ACLU of South Dakota Urges Legislators to Oppose House Bill 1217 on Veto Day

House Bill 1217, legislation that would ban women and girls from playing on sports teams that match their gender identity, violates both the United States Constitution and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Mar 22, 2021

Fairness in Women’s Sports Won’t be Achieved with New Coalition or House Bill 1217

New coalition, like House Bill 1217, is simply an attempt to erase transgender people from society and violates the United States Constitution and federal civil rights laws.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Mar 19, 2021

ACLU Comment on Gov. Noem's Response to Anti-Trans Bill

Gov. Noem’s changes to House Bill 1217 continue to discriminate against transgender youth and will leave the state vulnerable to costly litigation.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Mar 8, 2021

Anti-Trans Sports Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk

Today, Senate lawmakers voted to pass legislation that will prohibit transgender women and girls from playing sports on teams that match their gender identity. The vote opens the state up to costly litigation as the bill moves to Gov. Kristi Noem’s desk for her signature.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Mar 3, 2021

ACLU of South Dakota Opposes Expansion to State’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ Law

The ACLU of South Dakota opposes House Bill 1212, legislation that would lower South Dakota’s already extremely low standards when justifying the use of force.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice
Mar 3, 2021

ACLU of South Dakota Commends Decision to Kill Anti-Transgender Sports Bill

We’re thrilled with the committee’s decision kill this bill, sending a clear message of inclusion and acceptance for our transgender friends and neighbors.
Issue Areas: LGBTQ+ and Two Spirit Rights
Feb 24, 2021

House Lawmakers Advance Bill to Prevent Transgender Females from Competing in South Dakota

By singling out transgender women and girls and enacting a sweeping ban on participation in athletics, House Bill 1217 violates both the United States Constitution and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act.
Feb 23, 2021

ACLU of South Dakota Supports Bill to Help Decriminalize Addiction

The enormous amount of money South Dakota spends on incarcerating people for drug-related offenses is disproportionate and causes more harm than good to individuals struggling with addiction, their families and their communities.
Issue Areas: Smart Justice