A proposed bill in Wyoming known as the “What Is A Woman Act,” or House Bill 32, has passed its first major legislative hurdle, advancing out of the House Judiciary Committee.
The bill, which seeks to define terms like “woman,” “man,” “mother,” and “father” based on biological sex rather than gender identity, has stirred significant controversy, with passionate arguments for and against it.
The bill’s primary aim is to ensure that Wyoming’s government and courts treat individuals according to their biological sex rather than their gender identity. Proponents argue that this approach will safeguard spaces like sports teams and restrooms from gender-related conflicts, especially for women and girls. They also contend that the bill will help preserve the privacy and safety of women in environments like locker rooms and bathrooms. However, critics believe that the bill is too broad, impractical, and could infringe upon the rights of transgender individuals.
During the committee’s deliberations, the national group Gays Against Groomers, which opposes the medical transition of children, voiced its support for the bill. Dr. Rich Guggenheim, the group’s director of legislation, criticized Wyoming Equality, the state’s leading LGBTQ advocacy group, accusing them of supporting harmful gender transition practices. Guggenheim described the LGBTQ organization’s stance as promoting “anti-gay gender stereotypes” and equated it to “modern-day conversion therapy.”
In response, Wyoming Equality Executive Director Sara Burlingame rejected these accusations, asserting that her organization supports parental rights and individual autonomy. Burlingame expressed concerns about the feasibility and enforcement of the bill, raising questions about how the state would monitor adherence to biological sex-based classifications in everyday life, particularly when it comes to issues like restroom use.
Transgender advocates also voiced concerns about the bill’s potential to harm individuals who identify as transgender. Santi Murillo, a transgender woman, questioned the practical implications of the bill, particularly its potential to require the state to verify individuals’ biological sex. Additionally, she highlighted the risks faced by transgender people, such as harassment and unsafe situations, should they be forced into restrooms and other spaces that do not align with their gender identity.
One notable testimony came from Hannah Holtmeier, a former University of Wyoming student who testified in support of the bill. Holtmeier shared a personal experience regarding her discomfort with a transgender individual joining her sorority, illustrating her belief that women’s spaces should remain exclusively for cisgender women.
The committee ultimately voted to advance the bill to the full House of Representatives, with a vote of 7 in favor, 1 opposed, and 1 excused. Rep. Mike Yin, the committee’s lone Democrat, was the sole member to vote against the bill, questioning its practicality and necessity in a state with no existing laws specifically prohibiting men from using women’s restrooms.
Wyo File, Wyoming News Now, and Cowboy State Daily contributed to this report.
