Texas lawmakers approve bill that strictly defines man, woman

A bill set to be signed into law in Texas will strictly define gender as either male or female based on a person's reproductive organs

The legislation passed by state lawmakers now sits on Governor Abbott's desk with his office confirmed to the Hill he intends to sign it

Abbott's spokesperson tells the news outlet the state recognizes only two sexes, male and female

Governor Abbott looks forward to reaffirming this universal truth and signing HB 229 into law

The measure will require transgender and non-binary Texans to revert documents like IDs and other identifying material to their sex assigned at birth

It also imposes restrictions on transgender girls in single-sex spaces like girls' locker rooms and restrooms

Riley Gaines, a well-known opponent of transgender women in female sports, celebrated the legislation's passage on X

calling it common sense and saying it simply defines and codifies sex-based terms

Texas Values, a Christian non-profit, also hailed the legislation. In a statement on X, the organization said the bill sends a message

You don mess with Texas women HB 229 makes sure that the reality and truth of two sexes is clear in Texas law and never altered by school districts local cities or bureaucrats ever again The author of the bill

Representative Ellen Troxclair, says it protects women and recognizes biological reality. The move

follows Abbott's directive for the state to recognize only two sexes earlier this year

citing a similar executive order from President Trump. Opponents of the expected law contend it

fails to acknowledge the complexities of sex and gender. They fear the bill will lead to

discrimination against transgender and non-binary Americans. I think if a law forces a non-binary

Texans who are real people into categories that don't reflect their lived experiences or identities

then those who use those categories to decide rights, services, and protections

that would actually become discrimination in practice. And I'm not sure if you're concerned about that outcome

That's a concern that I have. The sponsor of the bill, State Senator Mays Middleton

says the legislation doesn't carry civil or criminal penalties. For more on this story, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit san.com

For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey