Arkansas bill targets gender-nonconforming youth haircuts
Republican politicians in the state of Arkansas want to ban haircuts deemed "gender nonconforming." The new law would apply to children. This is the so-called Vulnerable Youth Protection Act. Under it, a hairdresser of a minor could be held criminally liable.
American "Newsweek" reports that Republican politicians from the state of Arkansas want to introduce a law titled the Vulnerable Youth Protection Act. According to this law, anyone involved in the "social transition of a minor" could face criminal charges.
According to the controversial bill, "transitioning" would refer to actions that "adopt a gender identity different from their biological sex, including changes in clothing, pronouns, hairstyle and name." This includes clothing and hairstyles that stereotypically do not match the gender of the minor.
Journalists point out that the bill would prohibit barbers from giving girls so-called tomboy haircuts. Moreover, the owner of a store that sells a bra to a teenager could be held criminally liable.
The bill is causing quite a bit of controversy. Although the state of Arkansas is considered a controversial region in the U.S., Republicans hold 80% of the seats in the House of Representatives there, it is not certain that the bill will pass the vote.
The bill provokes extreme emotions. Lawyers have doubts
The bill was submitted in the state parliament by Mary Bentley. She is an anti-abortion activist and entrepreneur. In her opinion, the bill is "about protecting children from being pushed into gender ideology. We need to ensure that kids are not being coerced into decisions they do not understand."
During the first reading, the bill was criticized by Evelyn Rios Stafford. She is the only transgender person in an eminent position in the state of Arkansas. In her opinion, the bill is "absurd," and even compliments on hairstyles could be penalized.
Lawyers have doubts about the bill. In their opinion, the bill violates the constitutional right to freedom of speech. Mary Bentley has temporarily withdrawn her proposal. It is known that she is introducing amendments to it.
