Staff Reports
In Mississippi, men are now not allowed to use women’s public restrooms, as announced by Governor Tate Reeves. On Monday, the Republican governor signed the SAFER Act into law, which means people in Mississippi must use restrooms that match their biological sex. Governor Reeves said this law is important for keeping girls and women safe in the state.
Republican Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves Signs Bill Banning Men From Women’s Bathrooms https://t.co/oVEC9THFBo
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According to the new law, individuals who go into a restroom that does not match their biological sex could be charged with misdemeanor trespassing if they refuse to leave. Public buildings, including colleges and universities, must have restrooms designated for males and females or provide single-occupancy unisex facilities.
The law defines a woman as a biological female who is not a minor and a female as someone with the reproductive system that produces ova. There are exceptions in the law, such as allowing parents to accompany their opposite-gender children into restrooms and helping vulnerable individuals of the opposite sex.
Governor Reeves has also signed other laws protecting biological distinctions, like banning biological men from competing in women’s sports and prohibiting gender-affirming care for children in Mississippi. Gender-affirming care includes treatments that can lead to changes in a person’s biological makeup through hormones and surgeries.
Several other states have passed similar laws regarding restroom usage, including Utah, Florida, North Dakota, and Tennessee. However, when North Carolina tried to pass a similar law in 2016, the state faced backlash and lost billions in business.
Conservatives believe these laws are crucial to uphold biological distinctions and protect women and children in public facilities. They argue that such measures are necessary to prevent the potential dangers and invasion of privacy that could result from allowing individuals to use restrooms based on their gender identity rather than their biological sex.
