MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Governor Tony Evers vetoed Assembly Bill 377, aimed at banning transgender and gender nonconforming children from participating in athletic teams at schools. The bill would have barred children from participating in teams that align with their gender identity.

As Evers wrote "not approved" to officially veto the bill, he stated, "We have now helped our kids ... our trans kids. Thanks, everybody."

He then took to social media to state, "LGBTQ kids deserve our love and respect and support just like any other kid."

In a press release, Evers added, "This type of legislation, and the harmful rhetoric beget by pursuing it, harms LGBTQ Wisconsinites’ and kids’ mental health, emboldens anti-LGBTQ harassment, bullying, and violence and threatens the safety and dignity of LGBTQ Wisconsinites, especially our LGBTQ kids."