Houghton County Board members Glenn Anderson, left and Tom Tikkanan, along with County Administrator Chelsea Jacques, in a county board meeting earlier this year. The board will meet this evenin at 6 p.m. in regular session. Among the items on the agenda is a resolution to recognize there are only two sexes, male and female.

HOUGHTON COUNTY – A resolution under consideration of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners is receiving backlash, both in favor and in opposition, particularly on social media.

The regular December meeting of the County Board is scheduled for 6 p.m. today in the Circuit Court Courtroom, located on the third floor of the courthouse. Among the agenda items for the meeting, the Board will consider a resolution that, if adopted, would declare there are only two sexes, male and female.

According to the meeting packet, the resolution reads:

“Whereas, Houghton County currently uses the State of Michigan’s Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates; and Whereas, unknown, other and undetermined are not options that should be considered on birth, marriage and death certificates; and Whereas, a male has XY Chromosomes, a female has XX Chromosomes; as Whereas, if you are born a male XY or born a female XX that sex will follow you from your birth, marriage and death certificate, and Whereas, there are no other options.”

The last statement in the resolution, however, is inconsistent with state policies.

According to Michiganlegalhelp.org. the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is the agency that processes applications to change birth certificates. To change the gender marker on your Michigan birth certificate, complete the application to correct or change a Michigan Birth Record and the State of Michigan Sex Designation Form.

“These forms do not require any medical treatment or surgical history to change your gender marker,” the website states. “Include a photocopy of a form of photo identification such as a passport, driver’s license, or state identification card.”

The Houghton County resolution goes on to say that the Board of Commissioners encourages all other Michigan counties, as well as the state, to recognize there are only two sexes, male and female, and “science is clear you cannot change your chromosomes.”

At the beginning of the meeting the public will be given an opportunity to address the Boar (3 minute limit) regarding any agenda item.

Among the groups opposing the resolution on social media is Keweenaw Indivisible, a group that has organized several public demonstrations in recent months on a variety of subjects including eradicating medical debt, honoring the late Congressman John Lewis and celebrating the 109th birthday of the National Park Service.

On it’s Facebook page, Keweenaw Indivisible asks its members to attend tonight’s meeting and “let your voices be heard,” in opposition of the resolution, saying “It’s not the responsibility of the Board of Commissioners to make resolutions about sex.”