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 full story.
Divisions Between Men and Women
The bill aims to establish clear divisions between men and women based on biological sex, particularly in spaces like restrooms, locker rooms, and shelters.
Signing of the Bill
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 Discussion
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.
It’s a Matter of “Common Sense”
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.”
The Key Reason
The key tenet of the law is to bring clarity, certainty, and uniformity to the state’s laws.
A Prevention Protocol
It seeks to prevent situations where individuals, particularly women, feel uncomfortable or unsafe due to sharing private spaces with individuals of different biological sex.
The Incident with Lia Thomas
One incident that was highlighted during the discussion involved female swimmers being required to undress in the presence of transgender athlete Lia Thomas.
Craziness
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.”
Women Suffered Sexual Trauma
Former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Paula Scanlan testified before Congress that this situation had a negative impact on women who had suffered from sexual trauma, including herself.
The Governor’s Perspective
Governor Stitt said, “We’re taking a stand against this out-of-control gender ideology that is eroding the very foundation of our society.”
The Reason He Signed It
He expressed his motivation for signing the bill, citing his wife and three daughters, along with other young girls in Oklahoma, as the driving force behind his decision.
The Law Faced Backlash
Despite Governor Stitt’s intentions, the law has faced significant backlash from state Democrats and critics who see it as divisive and bigoted.
Critics’ Argument
They argue that the law perpetuates harmful stereotypes and unfairly targets transgender individuals, further marginalizing an already vulnerable group.
Sad State of Affairs
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 clapped back at the governor in a nod to the ongoing abortion battle, saying “‘Stands with women’ but doesn’t allow a woman to make a choice on her own reproductive system.”
It Could Have Been Avoided
Another User wrote, “To think that all this could have been avoided years ago by simply making a unisex restroom/locker room / etc.”
Is Biological Sex Everything?
It is important to note that many transgender people have fully transitioned and do not appear as their birth sex.
For example, the person pictured above, Buck Angel, is a transgender sex educator who was born with a woman’s body.
Would you feel comfortable requiring Mr. Angel to use the same restroom as women?
The post Oklahoma Governor Enacts ‘Women’s Bill of Rights,’ Sparking Debate on Transgender Inclusion first appeared on Pulse of Pride
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / John Arehart. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
