In a move that has stirred significant controversy, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, signed the “Women’s Bill of Rights” into law on Tuesday. Here’s the whole story.
Establishing Clear Divisions Between Men and Women Based on Biological Sex
The bill establishes clear divisions between men and women based on biological sex, particularly in spaces like restrooms, locker rooms, and shelters.
The signing of this bill was followed by an appearance on “The Faulkner Focus,” where Governor Stitt sat alongside former NCAA athlete Riley Gaines.
The governor and Gaines discussed how the new law would solidify distinctions between sexes and maintain the separation of spaces like restrooms, rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, and prisons.
Governor Stitt said, “It’s even weird to say that we have to do this in today’s age. But to us, it’s just common sense that we have to do this to define what a woman is and protect women. 50 years ago, Title XI was signed. Now it feels like the left is trying to erode that.”
“Forget the Fact That They Have To Compete Against a Biological Male, but Then To Change in the Locker Room. I Mean, This Is Just Craziness”
The key tenet of the law is to bring clarity, certainty, and uniformity to the state’s laws.
It seeks to prevent situations where individuals, particularly women, feel uncomfortable or unsafe due to sharing private spaces with individuals of different biological sex.
One incident highlighted during the discussion involved female swimmers being required to undress in the presence of transgender athlete Lia Thomas.
He said, “Forget the fact that they have to compete against a biological male, but then to change in the locker room. I mean, this is just craziness, and it’s not going to happen in Oklahoma.”
“We’re Taking a Stand Against This Out-Of-Control Gender Ideology”
Former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Paula Scanlan testified before Congress that this situation harmed women who had suffered from sexual trauma, including herself.
Governor Stitt said, “We’re taking a stand against this out-of-control gender ideology that is eroding the very foundation of our society.”
He expressed his motivation for signing the bill, citing his wife, three daughters, and other young girls in Oklahoma as the driving force behind his decision.
Despite Governor Stitt’s intentions, the law has faced significant backlash from state Democrats and critics who see it as divisive and bigoted.
Does the Law Perpetuate Harmful Stereotypes and Unfairly Targets Transgender Individuals?
They argue that the law perpetuates harmful stereotypes and unfairly targets transgender individuals, further marginalizing an already vulnerable group.
Several social media users expressed their thoughts on the incident.
One Twitter user wrote, “Sad state of affairs when a women’s bill of rights needs to be signed into law to protect their privacy and safety.”
Another User wrote, “To think that all this could have been avoided years ago by simply making a unisex restroom/locker room / etc.”
The post Oklahoma’s ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ – A Step Forward for Women or a Step Back for Transgender Rights? first appeared on The Net Worth Of.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Tualek Photography. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: Fox News