State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover) recently filed a bill that would codify definitions of man, woman, boy, girl, father, mother, male, female, and sex in Alabama law and allow local public entities to establish separate single-sex spaces or environments in certain circumstances.
If passed, House Bill 111 (HB11) would codify concise biological definitions within state law, allowing for distinct male and female spaces without being subject to state restrictions.
"The purpose of this act is to bring clarity, certainty, and uniformity to the laws of Alabama regarding sex discrimination, equality of the sexes, and benefits or services specifically provided to males and men and females and women," the bill reads.
In addition to defining terms for use in Alabama's legal code, the bill also affirms several facts currently not en vogue in the culture at large:
Men and women are legally equal but are not physically the same.
The state of Alabama has an important interest in preventing unjust sex discrimination and in maintaining safety, privacy and fairness for both sexes.
Inconsistencies in court rulings and policy initiatives regarding sex discrimination and common sex-based words have endangered women's rights and resources and have put the existence of private, single-sex spaces in jeopardy.
There are only two sexes, and every individual is either male or female. The term 'sex' is objective and fixed. Individuals with differences in sex development, also known as 'DSDs' or 'intersex conditions,' are not a third sex. Individuals with a congenital or medically verifiable DSD diagnosis must be accommodated consistent with state and federal law.
The bill would prohibit the state or any political subdivision from establishing separate single-sex spaces or environments for males and females when biology, privacy, safety, or fairness are implicated.
The bill's defined terms include:
Male: When used in reference to a natural person, an individual who has, had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental anomaly, genetic anomaly, or accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces sperm.
Man: An adult human of the male sex.
Boy: A human male who has not yet reached adulthood.
Father: The male parent of a child or children.
Female: When used in reference to a natural person, an individual who has, had, will have, or would have, but for a developmental anomaly, genetic anomaly, or accident, the reproductive system that at some point produces ova.
Woman: An adult human of the female sex.
Girl: A human female who has not yet reached adulthood.
Mother: The female parent of a child or children.
Last session, DuBose filed a similar bill called The What is a Woman Act. The bill received vehement backlash from transgender individuals who showed up in opposition to the legislation for the public hearing in the House Health Committee. Despite receiving a public hearing, the bill failed to receive a floor vote before the legislative session ended.
According to DuBose, HB111 is similar to last session's bill but simplified with improved definitions, but the intent of both bills is the same.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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