CHEYENNE, WY — Today, Independent Women celebrates Stand With Women legislation (WY HB0032 and WY HB0072) that is now law in Wyoming. By fortifying the definitions of male and female terms in law, Independent Women’s sex-definition model in Wyoming preserves the legal existence of women as distinct from men and helps safeguard the existence of single-sex spaces—including rape crisis centers, locker rooms, athletic teams, and prisons.
Wyoming’s Stand with Women legislation:
- Defines common sex-based terms like ‘male’ and ‘female;’
- Protects single-sex spaces and opportunities; and
- Requires publicly collected sex-based vital statistics to accurately reflect biology.
Governor Mark Gordon signed HB0072—which protects women’s private spaces on March 3 but would not put his signature on HB0032, the bill that defines sex-definitions. He issued a letter explaining this action, claiming the bill was “not drafted with keen legal objectives in mind as much as it was to scratch a welcome national political itch.”
HB0032, inspired by Independent Women’s sex-definitions, which is based on reproductive potential, not chromosomes, and falls in line with President Trump’s day-on Executive Order “Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth To The Federal Government.” It’s also similar to sex-definition bills passed in 12 other states (and counting).
“Wyoming women and girls are now ensured their rights to privacy, safety, and equal opportunity. Despite Governor Gordon’s disregard for the legal importance of defining common sense sex-based terms throughout state code, I thank Rep. Lien and Rep. Lawley for prioritizing the wishes of their constituents by sponsoring this pro-woman legislation. Over 280,000 women and girls across the state have you all to thank,” said Beth Parlato, Senior Legal Advisor at Independent Women Law Center.
Independent Women Ambassadors and Westenbroek v. Kappa Kappa Gamma plaintiffs Hannah Holtmeier, Maddie Ramar, and Allie Coghan joined Wyoming lawmakers for a press conference to champion the legislation and urge support for the protection of women’s spaces, after they were forced to initiate a male into their all-female sorority at the University of Wyoming in 2022. Holtmeier and Coghan both testified in support of HB0032.
“I am honored to be a part of the process to help protect women’s rights in private spaces. Codifying into law the definition of sex gives our judicial branch a very clear definition to help define the over 200 WY laws that reference sex. I am grateful for Representative Ward who carried this last session and am grateful to have carried this forward. I am also grateful for Independent Women who helped along the passage of this bill,” said Representative Jayme Lien, Wyoming House of Representatives District 38 and sponsor of HB0032, What is a Woman Act.
“HB 72 protects women and girls by prohibiting men from entering into women’s spaces—such as changing rooms, sleeping quarters, and restrooms—and requiring colleges, public buildings, and correctional facilities to safeguard women’s safety and privacy in these spaces. During the campaign both when knocking on doors and in forums the issue of boys in girls’ bathroom was one of the most important issues for the people of House District 27! I made a commitment to run a bill to address the issue with clear, comprehensive and commonsense policies. I appreciate the work of the legislature in working on this issue with me. I also appreciate the Governor for signing HB 72,” said Representative Martha Lawley, Wyoming House of Representatives District 27 and sponsor of HB0072, Protecting Women’s Privacy in Public Spaces Act.
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