Arkansas bill targets gender norms with haircut ban for minors
Republican politicians in Arkansas are proposing a ban on haircuts that do not align with traditional gender norms. This new legislation, known as the Vulnerable Youth Protection Act, would apply to children. Under this law, hairdressers could be held criminally liable for giving minors certain haircuts.
The American publication Newsweek reports that Republican politicians in Arkansas aim to introduce a bill called the Vulnerable Youth Protection Act. According to the proposed legislation, anyone responsible for "the social transitioning of a minor" could face criminal charges.
The term "transition," as defined by the controversial proposal, includes actions that "adopts a gender identity different from their biological sex, including changes in clothing, pronouns, hairstyle and name." This encompasses clothing and hairstyles that do not conform to the traditional gender expectations for minors.
Journalists note that the act would prevent hairdressers from giving girls hairstyles traditionally associated with boys. Furthermore, shop owners selling bras to teenagers could also be held criminally liable.
The bill is generating significant controversy. Although Arkansas is recognised as a contentious region in the USA, and Republicans occupy 80% of the seats in the House of Representatives there, it is uncertain whether the proposal will pass a vote.
The proposal provokes strong reactions. Lawyers have concerns
The proposal was introduced in the state parliament by Mary Bentley, an anti-abortion activist and entrepreneur. She believes that 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, Evelyn Rios Stafford, who is the only transgender person in a prominent position in the state of Arkansas, publicly tore up the proposal. She argues that the bill is "absurd," and that even compliments on hairstyles could be penalised.
Lawyers have expressed concerns about the proposal, stating that it violates the constitutional right to freedom of speech. Mary Bentley has withdrawn her proposal for the time being. It is understood that she is currently making amendments to it.
