Defines ‘women’ and helps to protect women’s privacy, safety, and equal opportunity

BATON ROUGE, LA - This week, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed House Bill 608 the “Women’s Safety and Protection Act” into law. The bill was introduced by Representative Roger Wilder III. This legislation fortifies the definition of sex-based words, such as ‘woman’ and ‘man’, already used hundreds of times across state code. It also defines certain spaces that will be for females only moving forward.

“The attack on women that we have seen taking place across our country has no place in the state of Louisiana. I am proud to sign House Bill 608 which protects women’s safety and reinforces the very definition of what it means to be a woman. Enough is enough. Louisiana will not stand idly by and allow biological men to take advantage of opportunities for women. We want women across the country to know that your privacy, safety, and opportunities are valued and will always be protected in Louisiana,” said Governor Jeff Landry.“I appreciate Rep. Wilder’s hard work on this bill.”  

Independent Women’s Voice Ambassador, Riley Gaines said,“Governor Landry has been a day one champion of women and our rights. As Attorney General he signed the Women’s Bill of Rights and promised to use his office to end misogynistic attempts to steal opportunities from women. It’s rare form for elected officials today to uphold their promises but today Governor Landry stands true to his word and Louisiana is better for it. I am grateful to all the legislators who sent the ‘Women’s Safety and Protection Act’ to his desk and to Governor Landry for making sure Louisiana women will never fall victim to men stealing their opportunities or spaces. This Women’s Bill of Rights inspired legislation ensures current and future generations of women aren’t discriminated against on the basis of their sex.”

“Biological males DO NOT belong in changing rooms or restrooms with women and little girls, and now, in Louisiana, it is against the law!  This new law, the Women’s Safety and Protection Act, provides for the right to privacy and codifies, into law, the definitions of male and female.  No woman’s right to privacy should be contingent on someone else’s arbitrary beliefs or feelings about their “gender”. Louisiana will, as they say, "follow the science" ...of XX and XY,” said Rep. Roger Wilder.