Wisconsin culture war ignites over bill using ‘inseminated person’ instead of ‘mother’
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers, a Democrat, has stirred controversy with his proposed budget recommendation for the 2025-2027 fiscal period. The budget includes changes to certain gendered terms in state law, such as replacing “mother” with “inseminated person” and “paternity” with “parentage.” Additionally, references to “wife” or “husband” would be changed to “spouse,” while “father” would be swapped out for “parent” and “mother” for “parent who gave birth to the child.”
The budget proposal was introduced by the state Senate’s Joint Committee on Finance on Tuesday, sparking backlash from critics. Wisconsin radio host Dan O’Donnell took to social media to criticize the language changes, calling them “beyond parody.” Senator Mike Lee of Utah also expressed concern, labeling the changes as a “red flag.”
The Republican Governors Association (RGA) issued a statement condemning Evers’ proposed language changes, with RGA executive director Sara Craig calling them “offensive to mothers.” Craig emphasized the significance of motherhood, stating, “Being a mother is the greatest privilege I will have in my lifetime, and every mother I know feels the same. If Tony Evers can reduce motherhood to an ‘inseminated person,’ then our society is lost.”
While Evers highlighted various aspects of his budget proposal, such as eliminating income tax on tips and preventing property tax increases for homeowners, he made no mention of the controversial language alterations.
The debate over gendered language has been a contentious issue in recent years, with discussions around terms like “chestfeeding” and “birthing person” replacing traditional terms like “breastfeeding” and “mother.” Former President Donald Trump addressed the issue through executive orders aimed at defending biological distinctions between sexes and preventing transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
In a recent event at the White House, President Trump engaged in a heated exchange with Governor Janet Mills of Maine over his executive order on gender ideology. The president threatened to withhold federal funding if the state did not comply with his order, leading to a potential legal battle between the two parties.
As the debate over gendered language and transgender rights continues, it remains to be seen how these issues will shape policies and legislation at both the state and federal levels. Evers’ proposed language changes in Wisconsin serve as a microcosm of the larger cultural and political battles surrounding gender identity and expression.
