Wisconsin Democratic Governor Tony Evers has proposed a controversial change to state law that would replace terms like “mother” with “inseminated person” and “paternity” with “parentage.”
Gov. Tony Evers and Wisconsin Democrats have changed “mother” in a bill to “inseminated person.”
Scarlett Johnson has a message for Evers and anyone else who tries to cancel women:
“I’ve had enough of this. I’ve had enough. Your woke garbage won’t be tolerated anymore. You…
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 ( @Bubblebathgirl) February 22, 2025
This proposal, introduced as part of the 2025-2027 state budget, has sparked strong backlash, particularly from conservatives.
Under the proposed changes, several other traditional terms would be replaced in legal language. For example, references to “wife” or “husband” would be swapped with “spouse,” and “father” would be changed to “parent.”
In some cases, “mother” would be replaced with “parent who gave birth to the child.” The goal, according to the Evers administration, is to promote inclusivity, though many critics argue these changes erase key biological distinctions.
Dan O’Donnell, a Wisconsin radio host, quickly criticized the proposal, calling it “beyond parody.” His post on X (formerly Twitter) drew the attention of U.S. Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, who responded with a simple “red flag!” The criticism intensified as others joined in, questioning the need for such changes in state law.
The Republican Governors Association (RGA) issued a statement condemning the proposed changes. RGA Executive Director Sara Craig denounced the move, calling it an “offensive” attack on mothers.
“Being a mother is the greatest privilege I will have in my lifetime, and every mother I know feels the same,” Craig said. “If Tony Evers can reduce motherhood to an ‘inseminated person,’ then our society is lost.”
Governor Evers, however, did not directly address the controversy surrounding the language changes when introducing his budget proposal. His plan, which includes tax cuts and infrastructure improvements, was positioned as a solution to several economic challenges. Evers’ office made no mention of the contentious language revisions during his budget rollout.
The debate over “gendered language” has become a flashpoint in American politics in recent years. The push to replace words like “mother” with “birthing person” and “breastfeeding” with “chestfeeding” has drawn sharp criticism from conservatives, who view it as an unnecessary and divisive step.
Advocates for these changes argue that such language promotes inclusivity, but opponents see it as a threat to traditional values and family structures.
Governor Evers’ proposal comes at a time when cultural battles over gender identity and language are intensifying. On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump issued an executive order aimed at restoring biological truths to government policies.
The order recognizes only two sexes, male and female, and explicitly rejects “gender ideology” as an official government stance, according to Fox News.
President Trump’s focus on reaffirming biological sex has been part of a broader agenda to protect women’s rights and prevent the erosion of sex-based distinctions. Earlier this month, Trump signed another executive order to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, a move that reflects his administration’s commitment to safeguarding traditional gender roles.
As these issues continue to dominate the political landscape, the debate over language in Wisconsin is just one example of the broader cultural clash playing out across the country. Critics of the proposed changes in Wisconsin argue that such moves are part of a larger agenda to undermine the foundational concepts of family and biological sex. Supporters, however, view it as a necessary step toward a more “inclusive” society.
The controversy over Governor Evers’ proposal is expected to continue, with many believing it will become a key issue in future state elections.