Breaking with the national Republican trend of enacting anti-transgender legislation, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo has signed two bills bolstering transgender rights. This move has sparked both praise and criticism, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding transgender issues.

One of the newly enacted laws mandates that health insurance providers, including Medicaid, cover all gender-affirming surgeries. This mirrors similar legislation recently passed in Oregon. Lombardo defended this decision, stating the bill primarily clarifies existing procedures and isn't as extreme as some critics suggest. Democratic Senator Melanie Scheible, a sponsor of the bill, emphasized its potential to reduce state expenses by preventing lawsuits against state Medicaid, citing a 2015 declaration prohibiting denial of medically necessary care based on gender identity.

The second bill signed by Lombardo directs the Nevada Department of Corrections to establish mental and medical health standards for transgender and gender-nonconforming inmates. This includes implementing cultural competency training for prison guards. Advocates for transgender rights applaud these measures, while some Republicans have expressed strong disapproval. Nevada Republican National Committeewoman Sigal Chattah publicly criticized Lombardo, labeling him a "laughingstock."

Despite signing these two bills, Lombardo also vetoed a separate bill that would have shielded providers of gender-affirming care from losing their medical licenses and prevented the executive branch from assisting in out-of-state prosecutions. He justified the veto by citing concerns about ensuring compliance with state law and maintaining public health and safety standards. Transgender rights advocate Brooke Maylath, while praising Lombardo for signing the other two bills, expressed disappointment over this veto, noting it could worsen Nevada's existing shortage of providers.

Republican Joe Lombardo speaking in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

These actions by Governor Lombardo underscore the complex and evolving landscape of transgender rights legislation, particularly within the Republican party. His decisions have generated controversy and placed him at odds with some members of his own party, while simultaneously earning him praise from transgender rights advocates.