In a shocking attempt to push gender-neutral language, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers’ budget proposal sought to replace biological terms such as “mother” and “father” with “inseminated person” and “spouse.” This move sparked outrage among conservatives who see it as yet another effort to erase traditional family values.
Evers’ proposed changes included:
The justification? According to Evers, it was meant to ensure “legal certainty” for individuals undergoing IVF (in vitro fertilization). However, no other state requires this kind of language shift to guarantee IVF rights, making Evers’ rationale highly questionable.
When asked about the changes, Evers immediately looked down—classic defensive body language. As Andy Parrish explains in the latest episode of I’m Right, Deal With It, looking down and to the right typically indicates an emotional argument rather than a factual one.
Throughout the exchange, Evers repeatedly asserted that the change was to “help moms,” yet failed to explain how removing the word “mother” actually benefits women. Moreover, the bill also altered terms like husband and wife, which have nothing to do with maternal healthcare.
One glaring issue: No major group had publicly requested these changes. The Wisconsin budget process involves submission to the Joint Finance Committee, where amendments are made before being voted on by the state legislature. So, when Evers claims “all we want”, the question remains—who exactly is we?
This move is part of a broader trend by progressive politicians to erase biological realities in favor of so-called inclusivity. However, inclusivity should not come at the cost of erasing universally understood and respected terms like mother and father.
If Wisconsin Democrats truly wanted to help parents, they could focus on expanding parental leave policies or improving childcare affordability—rather than engaging in ideological wordplay.
The bottom line? No one needed or asked for this change. It’s a blatant attempt to push an agenda that most Wisconsinites do not support. Governor Evers should be focusing on real issues facing Wisconsin families instead of attempting to redefine biological terms for political gain.
