PIERRE, SD — Today, Independent Women applauds the South Dakota Legislature for the passage of House Bill 1259—modeled off of Independent Women’s Stand with Women legislation. The legislation defines sex-based words and protects single-sex spaces in South Dakota, such as changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters.
Once signed into law by Governor Larry Rhoden, the Stand With Women legislation will:
- Define sex-based terms; and
- Protect certain single-sex spaces.
Cody Grace, a South Dakota father who shared his story with Independent Women’s grassroots storytelling program, IW Features, provided testimony in support of the legislation. Grace testified how he found himself in a battle with school administrators and school board members after his teenage daughters were confronted with a male in their South Dakota high school girls’ bathroom.
Independent Women Senior Legal Advisor Beth Parlato also issued a letter in support of the legislation, emphasizing how Grace’s story testifies to the need for South Dakota to safeguard single-sex spaces in public schools.
When signed into law by Governor Rhoden, South Dakota will follow the lead of federal and state lawmakers in responding to the surge of support among voters driven by Independent Women’s “Stand With Women” initiative in the 2024 election to protect women’s single-sex spaces.
Beth Parlato wrote in her letter of support, “HB1259 would safeguard girls’ rights, privacy, and safety in some of the most vulnerable single-sex spaces in public schools, including changing rooms, restrooms, and sleeping quarters. HB1259 is not about discriminating or excluding anyone. It is about ensuring there are standards for single-sex spaces in public schools. Please stand with the over 280,000 women and girls in South Dakota and support HB1259.”
West Virginia, Kansas, Tennessee, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas, Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, and soon Montana have all adopted laws inspired by Independent Women’s Stand With Women model, positively affecting the lives of over 22 million women and girls.
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Independent Women’s Voice fights for women by expanding support for policy solutions that aren’t just well intended, but actually enhance freedom, opportunities, and well-being.