The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received July 19, 2023.
Many women have, and continue to be, pioneers for Connecticut and the rest of our country. Whether it’s Prudence Crandall and Ella Grasso in Connecticut, or Susan B. Anthony, who fought for women to have the right to vote, their accomplishments should be recognized, not erased from history, as some Democrats are trying to do in Hartford.
I serve on the Children’s Committee where a bill, S.B. 1009, titled, “An Act Concerning Identified Adoptions” was proposed.
The bill attempted to delete words from current law including “expectant mother,” and “her” and replace them with “pregnant person” and “such person.” The words “birth parent” were replaced by “alleged genetic parent.”
Though the bill failed to pass after I and my colleagues voiced our objection to it, the fact is these changes are not only offensive and a marginalization of women, but a manipulation of state statutes that push an ideological progressive agenda. There are biological males and then, there are biological females, who can give birth.
Women are mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, and grandmothers who deserve to be recognized, not erased. I am not simply the “birth parent” of my children, I am their mother.
Another bill would pay the cost of abortions for out-of-state women who are seeking an abortion in Connecticut. How many times were the words “pregnant mother,” or “woman” mentioned in that bill? Zero. Instead, women have been replaced by “patient.”
I support anyone’s choice to identify however they choose, but those liberties should not come at the detriment of women.
State Rep. Gale Mastrofrancesco, (R) 80th District (Southington, Wolcott)
