JEFFERSON CITY, MO — Independent Women’s Voice celebrated the introduction of HB 2526, inspired by Independent Women’s Stand With Women legislative model, which would codify definitions of “woman” and “man” in law, protecting women in the state of Missouri.
Missouri State Representative Becky Laubinger today introduced HB 2526, which would legally define sex in Missouri law, taking the necessary state-level precautions to protect women’s sex-based rights.
“At one time, the words ‘gender’ and ‘sex’ were used and understood interchangeably by a majority of people. We no longer live in that time,” said Representative Becky Laubinger. “This legislation protects women by clearly defining male and female based on sex rather than gender. As a society, we can uphold the value of all people while also providing for the distinct, functional, differences between males and females. Our daughters’ opportunities, health, and safety depend on us to get this right.”
Payton McNabb, Independent Women sports ambassador, said: “I’m encouraged to see the Missouri legislature is taking meaningful action to stand with women. Definitions of sex rooted in biological reality are essential in ensuring women’s privacy, safety, and equal opportunity. This is a straightforward, common-sense measure that restores the clear boundaries that women have fought for and depended on for generations.”
Beth Parlato, senior legal counsel for Independent Women’s Law Center, said: “Defining sex in law is not optional;, it is fundamental to protecting the hard-won rights and opportunities of women and girls. This legislation embraces the clear, evidence-based approach championed by Independent Women’s Voice: recognizing biological sex so that the protections meant for women remain uncompromised and enforceable. Missouri has a responsibility to safeguard fairness, safety, and equal opportunity, and this bill is a necessary step to uphold those commitments for every woman and girl in the state.”
If passed by the state legislature and signed into law, HB 2526 would:
- Define common sex-based terms, such as “female” and “male,” for purposes of state administrative law;
- Replaces “gender” with “sex” in state statutes that are simply biological terms; and,
- Helps protect single-sex spaces and opportunities.
If Missouri codifies this bill into law, the state would join North Carolina, Kansas, Tennessee, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, West Virginia, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, Georgia, and Texas in adopting laws inspired by Independent Women’s sex-definition model.
In addition, 28 states have female sports laws intact. Collectively, Independent Women’s Stand With Women legislative options impact over 81 million women and girls across the country.
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