New York Democrats have approved legislation that would replace the words “mother” and “father” in portions of state law with the terms “gestating parent” and “non-gestating parent,” setting up what could become one of the most controversial cultural battles in the state this year.
The measure has now cleared both chambers of the New York Legislature and is headed to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s desk, where she will ultimately decide whether to sign it into law.
If enacted, the legislation would revise language used throughout portions of New York’s child custody, parental rights, domestic relations, and education laws.
The proposal would not only replace references to mothers and fathers, but would also change the word “paternity” to “parentage” in certain sections of state law.
Democratic lawmakers backing the bill argue the changes are designed to make state law more inclusive and reflective of modern family structures. Critics say it’s just the latest effort by extremist left-wing Democrats to destroy another fabric of American society.
The proposal quickly sparked backlash online and drew criticism from conservatives and others who questioned why lawmakers were prioritizing terminology changes instead of other issues facing New Yorkers.
Among those mocking the proposal was George Washington University constitutional law professor Jonathan Turley.
Reacting to the legislation on social media, Turley joked that the measure was arriving just in time for Father’s Day.
“Just in time for ‘Non-Gestating Parent Day,'” Turley wrote.
He followed up with another sarcastic remark, adding, “For my part I look forward to June 21st for a day of grilling and non-gestating.”
The bill also drew criticism from New York minister and social media commentator Jordon Wells, who called the proposal “pure insanity.”
Wells argued that lawmakers were attempting to replace language that has been commonly understood and used throughout human history.
Others questioned whether replacing words like ‘mother’ and ‘father’ would actually improve anyone’s life or simply create confusion in legal documents and public discourse.
Republicans immediately seized on the issue as another example of what they describe as Democrats embracing increasingly radical cultural policies.
Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for governor, sharply criticized the proposal and tied it directly to Hochul’s administration.
“In Kathy Hochul’s New York, ‘mom’ is now defined as ‘gestating parent,'” Blakeman wrote on social media.
“Not when I’m governor,” he added.
Blakeman pledged that if elected, he would oppose efforts to replace traditional parental terminology in state law.
“I’ll stand up for moms and dads against this insanity,” he said.
Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney also weighed in on the controversy.
“The party that can’t define a woman is now rewriting New York law to erase mothers and fathers,” Tenney wrote on X.
“Only in Albany could ‘mom’ and ‘dad’ become too controversial,” she added.
For now, the legislation’s fate rests with Hochul.
The governor told reporters she had not yet reviewed the measure in detail and declined to comment on whether she supports or opposes it.
“I have until the end of the year to review them and make a decision, so I won’t be commenting on pending legislation,” Hochul said.
Her response leaves both supporters and opponents waiting to see whether she will sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature, Breitbart News reported.
The controversy comes as debates over gender, language and parental rights continue to play a major role in politics nationwide.
For critics, the legislation represents an unnecessary attempt to eliminate words that have existed for centuries.
For supporters, it is simply another step toward making state laws more inclusive.
Either way, the proposal has already ignited a fierce political fight that is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
