Alabama Governor Kay Ivey recently signed a bill into law that explicitly defines "man," "woman," and other gender-related terms. The move comes amidst a national conversation surrounding gender identity, sparked in part by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's confirmation hearing exchange with Senator Marsha Blackburn, where Jackson declined to define "woman." The Alabama law aims to clarify gender designations within state statutes, specifying biological reproductive systems as the determining factor. Governor Ivey stated, "In Alabama, we believe there are two genders: Male and female. There is nothing complicated or controversial about it." This legislation has drawn both support and criticism. Proponents argue it upholds traditional values and protects women's sports, while opponents, including the ACLU of Alabama, express concern that it excludes transgender individuals and reinforces outdated gender norms.
