Kevin Stitt, Oklahoma’s governor, has signed the controversial “Women’s Bill of Rights” into law, a move which has sparked a very heated debate. Supporters of the bill claim it’s necessary to protect women’s rights. On the other hand, critics have labeled it sexist and transphobic.
Transgender Women in Women’s Spaces
The bill aims to solidify distinctions between men and women based on their assigned gender at birth. Stitt, in a conversation with former NCAA athlete Riley Gaines, said that the new law intends to identify spaces where “men” and “women” should be kept separate. In other words, the law aims to keep transgender women out of women’s spaces.
A “Weird” Situation
Stitt said that it was “weird” to have to legislate such distinctions in the modern age and claimed it was “common sense” to define what constitutes a woman. He drew a parallel with Title IX, which was signed into law 50 years ago, and expressed concern in regard to the left undermining it.
Clarity, Certainty, and Uniformity
The law, according to its text, seeks to bring “clarity, certainty, and uniformity.” It also aims to force transgender women into men’s spaces, an act that could be incredibly dangerous, in order to comfort cisgender women with anti-transgender views.
Reactions and Controversy
The signing of this law has not been without controversy. State Democrats have strongly opposed it, accusing the bill of promoting “homegrown bigotry.” Stitt, in an attempt to defend his stance, shared his personal motivations.
The Personal Motivations
Stitt talked about his daughters and claimed to have signed the law to protect the well-being of young cisgender girls in Oklahoma. He did not appear to think of the other girls, the transgender ones who would now be forced to enter men’s spaces, risking ridicule and assault.
Emotional Blackmail and Silence
Riley Gaines shed light on the emotional challenges faced by cisgender swimmers who raised concerns about competing alongside transgender athletes like Lia Thomas. She alleged that they experienced “emotional blackmail,” with threats of job loss, scholarship revocation, and social isolation – all aimed at silencing their transphobia.
Various Facets of America
Gains also alleged that the issue extends beyond universities and affects various facets of the country, including corporate America and the media. She claimed that the only reason so few athletes were speaking out was the alleged “emotional blackmail.”
Going Beyond Academia
Gains said: “This is bigger than universities that we’re seeing in academia. It’s in corporate America, it’s in the media, the amount of emotional blackmail they put us through to keep us silent – and it was effective.”
The Alleged Threats
Gains continued: “They told us we wouldn’t get a job, we wouldn’t get into grad school, we would lose our friends, we would lose our scholarship. They told us that we would be murderers if we spoke out because we would be complicit in a potential death. That’s how they kept us silent. That’s why it feels as if, and it seems as if, I’ve been one of the few voices fighting for this.”
The Modern Research
It’s worth noting that modern research indicates that transgender women lose any competitive advantage they may have in sports after two years on hormones. While there can be some variation depending on the specific sport and individual, evidence points to case-by-case assessments being the optimal way to tackle the issue. Moreover, there is no evidence of transgender women entering women’s spaces to cause harm.
The Internet’s Response
News of the new law was shared across the internet and people were largely critical. One person wrote: “[Stitt is] a national embarrassment who will do anything to keep the checks pouring in, often from groups that have no basis in Oklahoma or the sentiments of the average Oklahoman.”
Defrauding the Poor
The commenter continued: “I hate that national news articles suggest he’s representing the will of Oklahomans when, in fact, we’re a state beset by a wannabe oligarch who made most of his wealth defrauding poor people.”
They Never Mention Trans Men
Another person said: “[Stitt] attacks anyone transgender and uses it to pretend he cares about women. He doesn’t. Why do they never mention transgender men? Old trope of ‘women are weak and need strong men to defend them.’ Never whines that men need to be protected.”
They Want Christian Nationalism
The commenter continued: “If he and the GOP were for freedom they would be pro-transgender as people should be free to be who they are. They hate actual freedom to be who you are. They want Christian nationalism.”
Domestic Violence Shelters
Another commenter wrote: “Just a note to file here – the state domestic violence shelters worked tirelessly to have ourselves removed from the women’s rights bill as an ‘AFAB [assigned female at birth] women only space.’ It took weeks to assert our position that we serve all humans. Then he shoves it back in for this ridiculous anti-trans [trash]. The good thing is that none of the [domestic violence] shelters will cooperate with his nonsense.”
A Terrifying Future
Other people expressed their fears. “This is the first step in genocide. I’m terrified for my trans friends and family. I can’t wait until we can get out of here,” one person said. “Look at history. This is always how it starts. It’ll be concentration camps before we know it,” another echoed.
Misogyny and Sexism
Others discussed Stitt’s history as a politician. One person said: “Reminder that nearly immediately after Roe v. Wade, Kevin Stitt became the first governor in the country to sign a near-total abortion ban from the moment of fertilization. Him calling anything he does a ‘Women’s Bill of Rights’ is laughable.”
The Far-Right
Another said: “Nobody should be surprised by this. Like gun control activists, like pro-life activists, the people who have been ‘protecting children from making a life-long decision at such a young age’ were never going to stop with just ‘protecting children from making a life-long decision at such a young age.’”
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