Time to Define and Safeguard Females
This op-ed was written by Bronwyn Sims, a member of Independent Women’s Network. Originally appeared in The Keene Sentinel.
The recent veto of House Bill 148 by Gov. Kelly Ayotte has made one truth clear: New Hampshire must be precise and courageous in defining “woman” in law and truly protect single-sex spaces.
While HB 148’s intentions were good, it ultimately failed the very women and girls it sought to protect. Gov. Ayotte rightly acknowledged that the bill was “overly broad and impractical to enforce” and, crucially, the inclusion of “gender identity” in the legislation undermined its purpose.
If Gov. Ayotte truly had reservations about the bill, why didn’t she meet with the sponsor and co-sponsors of the bill to get them resolved?
As a member of the Independent Women’s Network and a coach dedicated to empowering girls, I testified before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee to urge a better path forward. Statistically, over 80 percent of Americans — regardless of political affiliation — agree that women and girls deserve spaces and opportunities of their own. This should be a straightforward, unifying value, not a political flashpoint.
Unfortunately, by writing “gender identity” into HB 148, the Legislature left the very loophole that allows men to enter women’s spaces — be it in restrooms, gyms, locker rooms, shelters, prisons or athletics.
Independent Women’s Law Center’s senior legal advisor Beth Parlato said it perfectly: “While we understand the bill is well-intended, unfortunately, it is misguided and fails to safeguard single-sex spaces. Men can legally continue to self-identify into women’s private spaces. By including ‘gender identity,’ the bill affirms an extreme assault on the erasure of women and single-sex spaces, which over 80% of the country opposes.”
We thank lawmakers for addressing this urgent issue, yet meaningful progress requires clarity and common sense. Defining “woman” based on biological sex is essential if we are to maintain women’s rights, privacy, and fairness in New Hampshire institutions and sports. This does not diminish anyone’s dignity; it simply ensures that the progress, for which generations of women fought, is not undone.
We urge the N.H. Legislature to act: Remove the language of “gender identity” from HB 148 and from any future efforts that claim to support women. Align our laws with the overwhelming majority of Americans who support single-sex spaces for women and girls, so New Hampshire can lead the way in safeguarding opportunities for its daughters now and in the future.
