The Oklahoma House has passed a bill to define a person’s gender based on biological sex.
The bill would clarify under state law the definition of male or female, as indicated by a person’s biological sex at birth.
In addition, the bill would forbid unfair sex discrimination while also recognizing the differences between men and women on issues relating to privacy, safety, and more.
“Women must have a space to engage in sports, education, and community together safely without constantly worrying about whether their safety and privacy will be protected,” Hasenbeck continued. “Misrepresenting what a woman is in legal issues jeopardizes those things. This declaration is just common-sense.”
But Hasenbeck said it “provides clarity in our laws as it pertains to biological men and women for the purpose of government work.”
“The whole bill says that women do not wish to have their rights taken away so that the rights of others may be expanded,” she continued. “This has to do with all of the places where men and women are equal yet different.”
Democrat Rep. Mickey Dollens, who also voted against the bill, did not respond to a request for comment.
Similar Bills
Across the country, GOP lawmakers have worked to pass legislation solidifying the definitions of male or female.The bill defined the two sexes as male and female based on biological sex at birth. It would require schools, states, and political entities that collect vital statistics to identify individuals as either male or female.
SB 180 drew backlash from transgender activists.
“In human beings, there are exactly two sexes, male and female, with two corresponding gametes,” the bill reads.
The bill, authored by Republican state Sen. Carl Grimm, is based on the biological differences in men and women as determined by chromosomes, internal and external genitalia, and other determining factors present at birth.
Transgender Athletes
Biological men competing in female sports has prompted some states and organizations to propose and pass such measures.Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines was among several athletes who testified in favor of SB 15. Gaines stepped into the spotlight last year after she competed against a biological male at the NCAA Championship in March 2022.
The World Athletics Council also voted on Thursday to ban biological males from competing in elite female competitions and tightened testosterone restrictions for athletes.
World Athletics President Sebastion Coe said the decision would be reviewed as more science around physical performance and male advantage develops.