Democratic Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin is facing significant criticism for his proposed budget, which seeks to replace traditional gendered terms in state law.
The proposal suggests substituting "mother" with "inseminated person" and "paternity" with "parentage." This move has sparked a backlash, particularly among those who view it as an affront to traditional family values.
As reported by The Post Millennial, the governor's budget for the 2025-2027 fiscal period also advocates for the replacement of other gender-specific terms. For example, it suggests using "spouse" instead of "wife" or "husband," "parent" in place of "father," and "parent who gave birth to the child" instead of "mother."
The Wisconsin Senate's Joint Committee on Finance presented the budget on Tuesday, drawing attention from various quarters. Wisconsin radio host Dan O'Donnell shared the bill's language, prompting Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) to respond with a succinct "Red flag!"
The Republican Governors Association has voiced strong opposition to these changes. In a statement, the group criticized Governor Evers' proposal, stating, "Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers latest left-wing push isnt just out of touch, its offensive to mothers. Being a mother is the greatest privilege I will have in my lifetime, and every mother I know feels the same. If Tony Evers can reduce motherhood to an inseminated person then our society is lost." Despite the controversy, Evers did not address the language changes when presenting the budget.
The debate over gendered language has intensified in recent years, with terms like "chestfeeding" and "birthing person" becoming focal points in discussions about progressive policies. This issue has also been a significant topic in the political arena. Former President Donald Trump, for instance, highlighted the matter of males participating in women's sports during his campaign.
On his first day back in office, Trump issued an executive order titled "Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government." The order emphasized the recognition of two sexes, male and female, asserting that they are "not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality."
Governor Evers' proposed budget and its implications for traditional gender roles continue to be a contentious issue, reflecting broader societal debates about gender identity and language.
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