Jamar Younger from Arizona Capitol Times reports that House Bill 2062, the Arizona Sex-based Terms Act, has passed the Senate and now awaits Governor Katie Hobbs’ decision. This CAP-supported legislation would establish clear statutory definitions for terms like “boy,” “father,” “female,” “girl,” and “male” while protecting single-sex spaces such as bathrooms, domestic violence shelters, and crisis centers.
“Americans and Arizonans agree that Arizona has an important governmental interest in preventing sex discrimination. But we cannot fight sex discrimination if we cannot define ‘sex,’” the letter read.
The legislation simply acknowledges what we all know to be true – that men and women are biologically different. This isn’t just about words on paper; it’s about making sure women’s shelters, bathrooms, and other private spaces remain safe and protected. Without clear definitions based in biological reality, policies meant to protect women become meaningless and unenforceable. Despite these common sense protections, opponents have voiced their objections.
“This bill legally erases trans people from existence,” said Sen. Lauren Kuby, D-Tempe, during the Senate Third Read hearing on Tuesday. “And in doing so, it jeopardizes the safety of people who are trans, intersex and nonbinary, while rescinding the basic rights of women by codifying into our laws a narrow and outdated definition of sex and gender.”
Senator Kuby’s claim that the bill “legally erases trans people from existence” and “jeopardizes their safety” completely mischaracterizes the legislation. This bill simply recognizes biological differences between males and females – a reality that is essential for protecting women in vulnerable spaces. Nothing in the legislation removes existing protections against harassment or violence that apply to all Arizonans.
As Governor Hobbs considers this bill, she faces a clear choice: stand with the vast majority of Arizonans who recognize biological sex as real and immutable, or side with activists pushing an ideology that compromises women’s safety, privacy, and protections.
Read the full story here.