Clovis rep champions 'Women's Bill of Rights'

Feb. 3—New Mexico State Rep. Andrea Reeb, R-Clovis, on Wednesday announced the introduction of House Bill 205, a "Women's Bill of Rights."

HB 205 will codify the common sense understanding of the words "male" and "female" when used in law, according to a news release from New Mexico House Republicans.

It's also intended to help protect "single-sex spaces," including rape crisis centers, domestic violence shelters, prisons, athletic teams, locker rooms, and sororities, the release stated.

Sponsors include Republican Reps. Jenifer Jones, Gail Armstrong, Cathrynn N. Brown, and Candy Spence Ezzell.

The news release reports the representatives are working together "in calling on New Mexico House Democrats and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to stand with women and prioritize HB 205 during this legislative session."

Reeb said Republicans "deeply value fairness, individual rights, and the importance of maintaining spaces that cater to women's unique needs. This understanding extends to women's sports, where we believe the issue of fairness is particularly relevant."

Laura Wight, co-founder of Eastern New Mexico Rising, is among the bill's critics.

"HB 205 is a sad attempt by New Mexico Republicans to use legislation to define gender and family roles, and to erase what they perceive as non-traditional identities," Wight wrote in a text message to The News.

"Women's rights are not inclusive if they exclude transgender women and femmes.

"Eastern New Mexico Rising is disappointed Representative Reeb is not using public time and resources more productively throughout the Legislative session toward legislation that will actually benefit all New Mexicans," Wight wrote.

Reeb wrote in a text message to The News that the Republican stance "is not driven by exclusion or discrimination. It's vital to recognize and respect the rights of all individuals. However, it's also essential to acknowledge the biological differences between sexes that are manifest in sports."

She said the bill also seeks to respect the importance of women's spaces that extend beyond sports.

"Women's spaces — be they educational, professional, or recreational — exist to address the unique challenges that women face due to their biological and societal experiences," she wrote.

The news release notes New Mexico laws and regulations use the words "woman" and "female" at least 2,045 times.

"If enacted, HB 205 would assist judges and bureaucrats interpreting New Mexico law by:

— Defining sex-based terms;

— Articulating the state's interest in protecting certain single-sex spaces; and,

— Ensuring the accuracy of public data collection."