The Town of Hempstead, the largest township in the United States, voted Monday to preserve the words “mother” and “father” in its own legal code — a direct rebuke of a state bill that would replace those terms with gender-neutral language across New York’s family law statutes.
Town Supervisor John Ferretti filed the resolution Monday, with the township’s board taking it up at its Tuesday meeting. The measure would mandate the use of “mother” and “father” in the town code, building zone ordinance and municipal forms, public applications and operational documents.
The state Legislature passed bill A8382A/S9316 on June 2, replacing “mother” and “father” with “gestating parent” and “non-gestating parent” throughout New York’s family court and child support statutes. The bill would also substitute “parentage” for “paternity.” If enacted, the changes would take effect Nov. 1 and affect roughly 150,000 divorce and custody cases filed in New York annually.
The state bill passed on June 2, coinciding with the first week of Pride month. Supporters say the legislation recognizes that families in 2026 are diverse and that not every family fits a single definition, according to David Kilmnick, president of the NY LGBT Network.
“This legislation is not erasing mothers or fathers, and suggesting otherwise is intentionally misleading,” Mr. Kilmnick said in a statement.
Mr. Ferretti sharply disagreed.
“This resolution is necessary in response to woke legislation passed by the New York State Legislature,” he said. “Frankly, this legislation, which awaits Gov. Hochul’s signature or veto, is highly insulting to the hardworking and dedicated mothers and fathers of New York State.”
The supervisor said learning of the bill prompted an immediate reaction at home.
“As a father of two, it was an insult to me and to my wife,” Mr. Ferretti said in an interview Tuesday. “As soon as I learned, the first thing I did was bring my wife into our bedroom and say, ’Look what they did up in Albany. They’re eliminating the terms mother and father from state law.’”
His 9-year-old daughter overheard the conversation and asked whether she could still call him “dad.”
Mr. Ferretti argued that Albany should have added inclusive language rather than removing existing terms.
“They did not pass a law that adds language,” he said. “They passed a law that erases mother and father from certain statutes under New York state law, and that’s completely unacceptable.”
The resolution drew support from Republican lawmakers representing Nassau County, including Assembly Minority Leader Ed Ra, state Sen. Steve Rhoads and Assemblywoman Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, also weighed in on social media, writing that he would “stand up for moms and dads against this insanity” if elected governor.
Gov. Kathy Hochul told reporters last week that she had not yet reviewed the proposal.
“I have until the end of the year to review them and make a decision, so I won’t be commenting on pending legislation,” she said at a news conference, according to FOX 5 New York.
Under the New York Constitution, however, the Nov. 1 effective date would be triggered if the bill becomes law — either through the governor’s signature or, because the Legislature remains in session, by her inaction within the 10-day window (Sundays excepted) after the bill is transmitted to her desk, at which point it becomes law automatically. The 30-day clock — under which inaction constitutes a pocket veto — applies only after the Legislature has formally adjourned sine die.
Mr. Ferretti said the Hempstead resolution is intended to shield the town’s own laws and policies from any change at the state level, regardless of how the governor acts. Conservative advocacy group Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee also voiced opposition to the bill, calling the gender-neutral terms “inherently dehumanizing” to women.
Hempstead is a Republican-led township of roughly 800,000 residents on Long Island within Nassau County.
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