North Carolina Legislature Sends Gender Definition Bill To Governor

North Carolina's House Bill 805, aimed at preventing sexual exploitation of women and minors, is headed to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein for approval. The bill controversially defines sex strictly as male or female, excluding an individual's gender identity from legal recognition, and includes provisions limiting transgender rights such as requiring use of birth certificates for identification and restricting access to certain healthcare and school materials. While initially a bipartisan effort focused solely on exploitation, Republican amendments introduced cultural and gender-related provisions that caused division, with some Democrats supporting the bill and others opposing it as unconstitutional and harmful to transgender people. The legislation also incorporates religious objections related to school assignments and parental controls on school library books. The bill's definitions and protections for women’s spaces align with executive orders signed by President Donald Trump, who has publicly supported similar policies. Opponents argue the law imposes personal beliefs on others and negatively impacts transgender youth, while supporters claim it protects biological sex distinctions and women's rights.