Photo:Thom Bridge/Independent Record/AP
Thom Bridge/Independent Record/AP
Republican Gov.Greg Gianfortehas signed into law a bill that defines “sex” as a binary in Montana law, weeks after his child, who identifies as nonbinary, urged him not to.
Over the weekend, the Montana governor signed the controversial anti-LGBTQ+ measure — known asSenate Bill 458— which will define the word “sex” in state law as only male or female. The law is scheduled to take effect Oct. 1.
In a statement, the governor’s press secretary, Kaitlin Price, said the law “codifies the long-recognized, commonsense, immutable, biologically-based definition of sex, male and female, while protecting people born intersex and not infringing on transgender individuals’ ability to identify with whatever gender, but not sex, they wish.”
But opponents argue that it effectively erases those who are transgender, nonbinary,Two-Spiritor intersex from state law. In an April House floor debate on the measure, state Rep. SJ Howell, who is transgender and nonbinary, argued that many Montanans don’t consider themselves “male” or “female.”
Howell continued: “Imagine my dismay at discovering that a state like Montana, my state, my home, says the government knows better. There’s two boxes, you got to choose, end of story.”
Gianforte’s own child was among those who opposed the measure, which is one of several recent bills in Montana targeting the LGBTQ+ community.
The governor wrote back within hours, theFree Pressreports, saying, “I would like to better understand your thoughts and concerns. When can we get together to talk about it?” He signed the email: “Love, Dad.”
“I do have a family relationship with my father that I’m trying to preserve,” David told the outlet, noting that in past legislative sessions, they’ve kept quiet about their opinions. “I felt that the best way to go about this would be to reach out to him in a more formal manner. And he was very willing to meet with me.”
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So, in late March, the two met for a formal appointment at the governor’s office, with David reading from a prepared statement that read, in part: “I would like to make the argument that these bills are immoral, unjust, and frankly a violation of human rights.”
Ultimately, though, Gov. Gianforte chose not to veto the bill, with David telling theFree Press: “He is concerned about his career … And I believe that that affects his decisions on some of these bills.”
source: people.com
