”What Is A Woman Act” Filed In Wyoming Legislature

A bill that would define people as being male or female based on their sex when they are born and mandate which public restrooms they may use has been filed for the upcoming session of the Wyoming Legislature.

You can read the text of the bill, designated as House Bill 50, here.

Similar bills have been filed or are already law in several states. Opponents in those states, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have labeled those bills as anti-transgender legislation. Supporters argue that it protects women from having their private spaces invaded by men. Some also see it as a safety issue for women and girls.

The Wyoming legislation would specify that people must use the bathroom or locker room designated for their sex (as defined by sex at birth). It also specifically mentions rape crisis centers and other facilities:

''Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, laws, rules and regulations that recognize or enforce distinctions between the sexes with respect to athletics, prisons or other detention facilities, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, locker rooms, restrooms and other areas where safety or privacy are implicated and that result in separate accommodations between the sexes are substantially related to the important governmental objectives of protecting the health, safety and privacy of persons in such circumstances.''

The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Jeanette Ward [R-Natrona County].  Co-sponsors include Reps. Allemand, Angelos, Bear, Haroldson, Hornok, Jennings, Locke, Neiman, Ottman, Pendergraft, Penn, Rodriguez-Williams, Slagle, Smith, and Strock

Because the 2024 Wyoming legislative session is a budget session, non-budget bills such as House Bill 50 will need a two-thirds majority vote for introduction.