Lawmakers Advance Bills Defining Sex as Binary, Prohibiting Punishment for Students Who Don't Acknowledge Pronouns or Chosen Name

Legislators in the House and Senate passed bills this week that define sex as a binary and reduce any punishment of individuals at schools for not acknowledging pronouns and chosen names other than those assigned at birth.

Senate Bill 437, which earlier passed in the Senate with a 31-18 vote, is one of a series of bills passed this session that proponents say are clarifying definitions under law, and opponents say are reducing the rights of the transgender community. SB 437 passed the House with a 55-44 vote last week and now heads to the governor’s desk for final approval.

Rep. Neil Duram, R-...