Alabama’s What is a Woman Act, to ‘codify common sense,’ primed for gov’s signature

Alabama Republican Governor Kay Ivey is poised to sign a groundbreaking bill that seeks to answer a fundamental question: What is a woman? The bill, crafted by State Rep. Susan DuBose and Senator April Weaver, aims to explicitly define key terms such as “man,” “woman,” “boy,” “girl,” “father,” “mother,” “male,” “female,” and “sex” in Alabama state law. The legislation, which recently passed through the Montgomery legislature, is expected to be signed into law by Governor Ivey later today.

“In Alabama, it does not take a biologist to answer the question: What is a woman?” remarked Governor Ivey. The bill, known as the “What is a Woman Act,” is a response to the recent controversy surrounding the definition of gender. During Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearing, the jurist declined to define the term “woman,” citing her lack of expertise in biology. Governor Ivey, however, firmly believes that there are only two genders: male and female.

The new law will require the government to collect vital statistics based on a person’s sex assigned at birth and make necessary revisions to update existing code language. According to a draft of the bill, a “female” is defined as an individual with a biological reproductive system designed to produce ova, while a “male” is described as an individual with a biological reproductive system intended to fertilize the ova of a female.

Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter expressed support for the bill, emphasizing the state’s commitment to conservative values. Ledbetter stated, “We believe boys should play against boys and girls should play against girls. We believe that men have no business using the girls’ restroom.” He added that every individual’s gender is defined by a higher power.

Despite its proponents, the bill has faced opposition from groups like the ACLU of Alabama. The organization criticized the legislation for excluding transgender individuals and imposing outdated gender norms as a rule of law, making it harder for transgender people to live authentically. Democratic lawmakers, including Representatives Barbara Drummond and Napoleon Bracy, also raised concerns about the limited floor debate time allocated for the bill.

The debate surrounding the bill has sparked public discourse on gender identity and the rights of transgender individuals. Conservative commentator Matt Walsh even produced a documentary titled “What is a Woman?” in response to the controversy. Senator Marsha Blackburn highlighted the importance of preserving biological distinctions between men and women, particularly in sports competitions.

As the “What is a Woman Act” awaits Governor Ivey’s signature, it remains a divisive issue in Alabama and beyond. The legislation reflects the ongoing debate over gender identity, biological sex, and individual rights. Time will tell how this new law will impact the state and its residents.

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