WIN: Alabama Passes Women’s Bill of Rights!
HB 405 Codifies Sex Definitions and Protects Women’s Spaces
In a major win for women’s rights, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed House Bill 405 into law this week, titled the “What is a Woman Act”. This bill draws inspiration from the Women’s Bill of Rights, model legislation developed by Women’s Liberation Front (WoLF) and our partners to codify accurate definitions of sex and protect single-space spaces for women.
WoLF Legal Director Lauren Bone, one of the original authors of the model legislation, said:
"I am proud to see more states picking up this legal framework, which feminists have been promoting for years. Ensuring that accurate definitions for sex are written into state law prevents government officials from illegally eliminating protections and spaces that were built for women. I hope to see more states follow suit."
Key Provisions of House Bill 405
Alabama’s HB 405 adopts clear, objective definitions that align with the WBOR, including:
“For purposes of state law, a "female" is an individual whose biological reproductive system is designed to produce ova.”
“A "male" is an individual whose biological reproductive system is designed to fertilize the ova of a female.”
“For purposes of state law, "woman" and "girl" refer to human females, and the terms "man" and "boy" refer to human males.”
These definitions ensure clarity in legal interpretations and safeguard women’s sports, shelters, prisons, and other spaces where sex-based distinctions are essential.
About the Women’s Bill of Rights
The Women’s Bill of Rights was drafted as model legislation by WoLF and IWV in 2022, and has since been introduced at the federal and state levels across the country. It is also called the “Standing With Women” legislation and has been adopted now, at least in part, by nine states. This bill takes procedural steps to write into law common sense definitions that ensure the meaning of words like “woman” and “mother” aren’t corrupted by unelected bureaucrats intent on pushing gender ideology.
The Women’s Bill of Rights:
Defines “sex” based on biology (either male or female), enshrines into law common definitions of “woman,” “girl,” and “mother”
Codifies the intermediate scrutiny standard of judicial review to allow the law to recognize sex when it is relevant (ex., shelters, locker rooms, and prisons)
Requires vital statistic collection for anti-discrimination, or public health and safety to accurately record and report on biological sex
We are proud to have helped create this groundbreaking legislation, and grateful to all our supporters who helped make it happen!
Support the Fight for Women’s Rights
Thank you to the WoLF supporters in Alabama who called on the Governor to sign this bill! This victory demonstrates what is possible when lawmakers stand up for women. But the fight isn’t over. WoLF continues to lead the charge to pass the Women’s Bill of Rights at the national level.
Contact your members of Congress and urge them to pass the Women’s Bill of Rights on a national scale.
Donate to WoLF to support our vital work advocating for women’s rights.
Together, we can ensure that every woman and girl has the protections she deserves. Let’s keep the momentum going—stand with WoLF, stand with women.
