PINE BELT, Miss. (WDAM) – A controversial bill may impact transgender individuals – Women’s Bill of Rights.
The bill has not been proposed or brought to the floor in this session, but a previous version of the bill that died in committee in 2023 defines men and women by their biological sex at birth and “distinguishes the difference between sexes.”
In a statement to WDAM, Gov. Tate Reeves said:
“Let me state this as clear as possible: a man can’t become a woman and a woman can’t become a man. In Mississippi we have the ability to define what a woman is, and in this session we should do exactly that.”
State Sen. Joey Fillingane (R) said this bill will protect women’s rights in certain spaces like restrooms and locker rooms.
“So, I think what this bill is saying, in Mississippi, if this becomes law, a female that’s born female will be considered a female for those types of spaces and a male will be considered a male for those types of spaces, and beyond that, identify how you like to identify; that’s your business,” said Fillingane.
State Sen. Robin Robinson (R) said, to her, it’s not about gender, it’s about ensuring equal rights.
“What my thinking is, is that we have to protect our young women and girls and ensure a fair playing field, and it’s just not right to let boys play against girls,” said Robinson.
Mickie Stratos with the Spectrum Center of Hattiesburg, a non-profit that provides support to LGBTQ individuals, said this proposal infringes on the rights of transgender individuals.
“Of course, it’s really scary to hear about more of these anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ bills being introduced,” said Stratos. “It’s also really frustrating because it feels very difficult to get people to understand that they are trying to address a problem that doesn’t exist, and that trans people are really just trying to live our lives, and go about our days and go to school, and do the things that we love without being othered or seen as not normal.”
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