LINCOLN- On Wednesday, Gov. Pillen announced the implementation of a new executive order, which will establish a 'Women's Bill of Rights.' The order specifically defines a person's 'sex' as either male or female at birth, and applies to the executive branch, state agencies, boards, and commissions in Nebraska. A female, according to the order, is defined as someone whose biological reproductive system is developed to produce an ova, and a male is said to be someone whose reproductive system fertilizes an ova.

The order also provides specific definitions for woman, girl, man, boy, mother, and father. "It is common sense that men do not belong in women's only spaces," Pillen wrote in a statement announcing the order, "As Governor, it is my duty to protect our kids and women's athletics, which means providing single-sex spaces for women's sports, bathrooms, and changing rooms." An executive order does not carry the weight of a legislative bill or judicial ruling, but does provide guidance to the Department of Health and Human Services, which is expected to create the specific standards for LB574, a bill banning gender-affirming care for minors.

State Sen. Megan Hunt, who fought against LB574 this spring, said she's concerned that the order could impact Nebraska's ability to receive federal funding. "I guess that Gov. Pillen probably hates the fact that trans people would ever be protected or safe anywhere in Nebraska, but that's how it works today," she said, "And by putting this kind of messaging out, by making this part of his official policies and positions of his administration, he's putting funding for those services in danger in Nebraska."

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