Minnesota Women's Bill of Rights establishment

Minnesota Senate Bill 1651, titled the 'Minnesota Women's Bill of Rights,' was introduced in February 2025. The bill aimed to establish clear definitions for terms related to sex and gender in Minnesota's civil law. Key provisions included defining 'woman' as an adult human female and 'man' as an adult human male, with similar definitions for 'girl,' 'boy,' 'mother,' and 'father.' It specified that 'sex' is determined at birth based on reproductive biology and does not include gender identity. The bill also addressed individuals with differences in sex development (DSD) or intersex conditions, stating they are not considered a separate sex but must be accommodated under existing laws. Additionally, the bill mandated that anti-discrimination policies explicitly prohibit unfair treatment based on sex. The bill was referred to the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee but did not progress further and died in committee.

Supporters of SF1651 argued that the bill provided necessary clarity in legal definitions related to sex and gender, which they believed would strengthen protections for women's rights. They contended that by establishing clear definitions, the bill would prevent potential legal ambiguities and ensure that policies and laws are applied consistently. Proponents also emphasized that the bill's provisions would reinforce anti-discrimination measures by explicitly prohibiting unfair treatment based on sex.

Opponents of SF1651 criticized the bill for its exclusionary definitions, arguing that it failed to recognize and respect the identities of transgender and non-binary individuals. They expressed concern that the bill's strict definitions could lead to the erosion of rights and protections for these communities. Critics also contended that the bill's approach to defining sex and gender was overly simplistic and did not reflect the complexities of human biology and identity. Additionally, they warned that such legislation could foster discrimination and marginalization of already vulnerable groups.