U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), of Brookhaven, has joined Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) in introducing legislation to codify the legal definitions of male and female.

The Defining Male and Female Act of 2024 (S.5356) would establish clear, biologically-based legal definitions of male, female, and sex, grounded in science, not ideology. Under the Biden-Harris administration, radical gender ideology has increasingly replaced biological sex, which has put women-only spaces and opportunities at risk, according to Hyde-Smith.

“Ensuring that the legal definitions of male and female are based on biological reality is essential to protecting women and girls. This isn’t just about fairness. It’s also about safeguarding our children, upholding the fundamentals of Title IX, and defending women’s rights,” Hyde-Smith said.

“As a physician who has delivered over 5,000 babies, I can confidently say that politicizing children’s gender to use them as pawns in their radical woke agenda is not only wrong, it is extremely dangerous. I didn’t think we would need legislation to tell us that there are only two sexes: male and female, but here we are,” Marshall said. “We must codify the legal definition of sex to be based on science rather than feelings. With our legislation, we can fight back against the Biden-Harris Administration’s assault on our children.”

The Defining Male and Female Act of 2024 would restore key protections for women and children, including:

• Ensuring women and girls have the right to participate in sex-segregated sports and access scholarships;

• Preserving the separation of restrooms, locker rooms, dormitories, prisons, and shelters for victims of sexual assault based on biological sex; and,
• Recognizing the clear biological differences between males and females, as well as the distinct roles of mothers and fathers.

Additional original cosponsors include Senators James Risch (R-Idaho) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). Congressman Michael Guest (R-Miss.) is an original cosponsor of a companion bill (HR.9218) in the House of Representatives.