New York is about to erase “mother” and “father” from state law. Justifiable outrage has erupted across the Right. But if you’re surprised, you weren’t paying attention.

Bills already passed through both chambers of the New York legislature are on their way to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D) desk. Under the legislation, “mother” becomes “gestating parent.” “Father” becomes “non-gestating parent.” Gender-specific “paternity” becomes gender-absent “parentage.” The phrase “putative father” — a legal term with centuries of common law history behind it — is replaced with “alleged parent.” Every word that names a sex is being systematically removed from New York’s family statutes.

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