Michigan residents could soon face hefty prison sentences and fines for misgendering someone if a new bill passes the Democrat-controlled State Senate.
Democrats in the state's House of Representatives passed the bill, HB 4474, which would add "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression" as protected classes and criminalize causing a person to "feel terrorized, frightened, or threatened."
The bill advanced to the State Senate, where Democrats are expected to send it to Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer, who would likely sign the legislation. If a victim says he or she is intimidated by another person and is a member of one of the protected classes, the accused person could spend five years in prison or pay a $10,000 fine.
"Make no mistake about it. Those advocating for this legislation will wield these policies as a weapon capable of destroying conservative expression or viewpoints grounded in the sacred," William Wagner, a former federal judge and legal counsel in the U.S. Senate, told the Daily Wire. "One merely needs to look at the scores of cases brought against schools, churches, businesses, and individuals around our country."
Wagner added that supporters of this law will use it to "silence and financially cripple" anyone who has a "different viewpoint."
It's the latest example of the left pushing its views on gender identity on the public through legislation.
Democrats in California advanced legislation this month to consider a child's "gender affirmation" a part of his or her health, safety, and welfare when it comes to custody disputes, meaning parents who "affirm" their child's transgender status would be favored in a battle for custody.
Department of Health and Human Services assistant secretary Rachel Levine, a transgender doctor appointed by President Joe Biden, said this week that "gender-affirming care," including for minors, is "mental health care."