The Michigan House of Representatives passed a bill that would make it a crime to use the incorrect gender pronouns when identifying someone.
Bill HB4474 criminalizes the act of making someone feel threatened by using words which do not accurately identify them.
This law states that anyone who “intimidates or threatens another individual by word or action” based on “an actual or perceived characteristic”, including sex or sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, is guilty of a felony punishable with imprisonment for no more than five years or a fine not exceeding $10,000.
The bill defines “intimidate” as “a willful course of conduct that involves repeated or continuous harassment of another person, which would cause a reasonable person to feel terrified, frightened or threatened.”
“Gender identity or Expression” is defined as: “having or being viewed as having a self-identity related to gender, whether or not it is associated with the individual’s assigned sex when they were born.”
In Michigan, using someone’s incorrect pronouns will soon be a felony punishable by five years in prison and $10,000 in fine.
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This is in addition using words that make someone “feel terrified, frightened or threatened”.
HB 4474 has already passed the state House of Reps pic.twitter.com/FxPQLVZeKI
Greg Price (@greg_price11), June 29, 2023
The critics of this legislation claim that it violates the First Amendment, because it prohibits the personal decision to adhere to traditional scientific views of gender and sex.
Many believe that the Supreme Court will strike down this law because it is unconstitutional.
John Hawkins, a conservative author, tweeted that if the bill passed, it would “eventually be shot down by the Supreme Court, because it is almost comically out of step with the First Amendment.”
If it passes, it will be shot down by the Supreme Court as it is almost comically out of step with the First Amendment.
— John Hawkins @johnhawkinsrwn June 29, 2023
William Wagner, a former federal judge, told The Daily Wire: “Make no mistake. The advocates of this legislation will use these policies to destroy conservative expressions and viewpoints rooted in the sacred.
Wagner continued, “One only needs to look at scores of cases filed against schools, churches and businesses in our country.” “Proponents use this legislation to silence and financially cripple anyone who dares to adhere to a differing viewpoint and opposes their agenda.”
The bill will be sent to the Michigan State Senate. If it is approved, the bill will be sent to Governor. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, is expected to sign the document.
