Texas Senate passes bill to define the difference between man and woman based on reproductive organs. Check details

Time of India

28-05-2025

In a significant development, the
Texas Senate
has passed a bill requiring the state to strictly define man and woman based on reproductive organs on a 20-11 party line vote. The bill has already passed the House and will go now to the governor's desk, reports The NewsWeek. The move was welcomed by champaigners as a win for "truth and reality" and one that protects single sex spaces such as locker rooms.
But advocates for LGBTQ rights said the bill is harmful to the lives of trans people, who will face greater marginalization and discrimination as a result.
If this bill becomes law, more than 120,000 trans Texans would be forced to be defined in state records by the sex they were assigned at birth, rather than the gender they identify as, even if they've already legally changed their birth certificates and driver's licenses.
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What does the bill say?
According to Texas Tribune,
House Bill 229
says "a woman is an individual whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce ova, while a man is someone whose reproductive system is developed to fertilize the ova". The bill would require that this definition be used across state statute, with potentially wide-ranging consequences for trans and intersex people who would see their gender identity reverted back to the sex they were assigned at birth in state records.
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The Texas Senate has passed HB 229, known as the "Women's Bill of Rights," with a vote of 20 to 11. The bill now heads to Republican
Governor Greg Abbott
for his signature.
If signed into law, the legislation would require state documents—including birth certificates and driver's licenses—to record individuals' sex as assigned at birth, rather than their gender identity.
"The message is clear: You don't mess with Texas women," said M. E. Castle, director of government relations for Texas Values, a Christian advocacy group, in a statement posted to X.
"HB 229 makes sure that the reality and truth of the two sexes is clear in Texas law and never altered by school districts, local cities, or bureaucrats ever again!
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"With today's vote in the Senate, Texas will lay the foundation for protecting women's spaces and opportunities."
The bill was introduced by State Representative Ellen Troxclair and sponsored in the Senate by State Senator Mayes Middleton, both Republicans. It aligns closely with executive orders issued by former President Donald Trump on the same issue.
Trump has advocated for reinstating a
biological definition of sex
, particularly emphasizing the exclusion of transgender women from women's and girls' sports to maintain what he describes as competitive fairness.
State Senator José Menéndez, a Democrat, criticized the legislation as 'state-sponsored discrimination.'
'If a law forces non-binary Texans—real people—into categories that don't reflect their lived experiences or identities, that amounts to discrimination in practice,' Menéndez told the Texas Tribune.
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Trump threatens to hold federal fund California
Trump had also threatened to withhold 'large scale' federal funding from California if it allowed a transgender student-athlete to compete in girls' state championships. 'THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS,' he wrote on Truth Social.
California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow 'MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.' This week a transitioned Male athlete, at a major event, won 'everything,' and is now qualified to compete in the 'State Finals' next weekend. As a Male, he was a less than average competitor. As a Female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS. Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to. The Governor, himself, said it is 'UNFAIR.' I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go??? In the meantime I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals. This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!
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He further warned: 'Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to.'
The executive order, referencing Title IX—the federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination—requires all recipients of federal funds to bar transgender women and girls from participating in female sports categories.