Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has issued an executive order banning the use of certain language in state government that she deems as “woke” and anti-women. The order, signed by the Republican governor, aims to celebrate gender distinctions between men and women instead of erasing them.
Governor Sanders expressed her frustration with terms like “pregnant people” that she believes erase women and girls, as well as their voices and experiences. Surrounded by female lawmakers, she made the announcement on social media.
In contrast, over 800 miles away in Michigan, the state Senate voted to remove the terms “woman” and “she” from a bill related to breastfeeding, replacing them with the term “individual.” A proposed amendment to reintroduce the term “woman” was rejected by the Democrat-controlled Senate.
Republican state Sen. Michele Hoitenga argued that only women can breastfeed or pump milk and expressed her concerns about removing gender-specific terms from the bill. In response, Democrat state Sen. Jeff Irwin, the bill’s sponsor, opposed the amendment, highlighting that the legislation is about supporting mothers and babies, not engaging in a culture war.
The use of sex-specific terms has also become a subject of discussion at the national level. The Biden administration has introduced terms like “birthing people” instead of “mothers” in maternal health guidance, acknowledging the existence of transgender men who can give birth and lactate.
Governor Sanders’ executive order not only prohibits the use of terms like “pregnant people” but also requires the state to use “breastfeeding” instead of “chestfeeding,” “breast fed” instead of “body fed,” and “woman” instead of “birth giver.” Additionally, she banned the use of terms like “womxn” and “womyn” as alternatives to “woman,” often used by those on the political left.
The governor’s announcement on social media received support from those who believe in the biological distinctions between men and women. The executive order reflects her belief that biology and chromosomes are real, and only women can give birth.
