USA
Gov. Tony Evers Introduces Bill to Replace “Mother” with “Inseminated Person” in State Law. In a move that has sparked widespread debate, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers introduced a bill on Friday that seeks to replace traditional gender-specific terms like “mother” and “father” with more inclusive language in state law. The proposed legislation, known as 2025 Senate Bill 45, would substitute terms such as “wife,” “husband,” “mother,” and “father” with gender-neutral alternatives like “spouse,” “person,” and even “inseminated person.”
The bill, first reported by conservative radio host Dan O’Donnell, is part of the broader executive budget act for the 2025 legislature. The language changes are buried deep within the 1,766-page document, specifically in Section 3106, which addresses state finances and appropriations. The proposed revisions aim to modernize state law to reflect evolving societal norms around gender identity and family structures.
Governor Evers’s office has defended the bill as a step toward inclusivity, ensuring that state laws are reflective of all family types, regardless of marital status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. “This is about recognizing the diversity of families in Wisconsin and ensuring that our laws are inclusive and equitable,” a spokesperson for the governor said in a statement.
The push for gender-neutral language in state law is not unique to Wisconsin. Last August, Massachusetts passed the Massachusetts Parentage Act, which replaced terms like “father” and “mother” with “parent” or “the person who gave birth.” Similar legislation has been enacted in Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, signaling a broader trend among Democratic-led states to adopt more inclusive legal frameworks.
Critics, however, argue that the bill undermines traditional family values and creates unnecessary confusion. “This is yet another example of the left’s obsession with erasing biological reality,” said State Senator Duey Stroebel, a Republican from Saukville. “Terms like ‘mother’ and ‘father’ have been understood for centuries. Changing them to satisfy a political agenda is not only unnecessary but also disrespectful to the majority of Wisconsinites who value these roles.”
The bill’s introduction comes amid a national debate over gender identity and its implications in various sectors, including sports. Earlier this year, the Trump administration signed an executive order barring biological males from competing in women’s sports at the high school and college levels. Both the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) have announced their compliance with the order, further fueling the ongoing cultural divide.
As the bill moves through the legislature, it is expected to face significant opposition from Republican lawmakers, who hold a majority in both the state Senate and Assembly. Meanwhile, advocacy groups on both sides of the issue are gearing up for what promises to be a contentious battle over language, identity, and the future of family law in Wisconsin.
For now, the debate over Senate Bill 45 highlights the growing tension between progressive efforts to create more inclusive policies and conservative resistance to what they see as an erosion of traditional values. As Wisconsin grapples with these changes, the outcome of this legislative effort could have far-reaching implications for the state and beyond.
