Kentucky state Representative Nick Wilson, a Republican and past winner of the TV show “Survivor,” has issued an apology after a bill he filed mistakenly legally allowed sex with first cousins while attempting to combat family sexual abuse. The bill, labeled HB 269, aimed to add ‘sexual contact’ to the incest statute, expanding the definition beyond just intercourse. Wilson explained the purpose of the bill in a Facebook post, stating that it aimed to address cases of sexual touching or groping by relatives that were not covered under the current incest laws.
However, during the drafting process, an inadvertent change removed ‘first cousins’ from the list of relationships included under the incest statute, which Wilson failed to correct. The bill attracted attention on social media and went viral, prompting Wilson to withdraw it from consideration. In a statement, he reassured the public that he would refile the bill with the ‘first cousin’ language intact.
Wilson emphasized the importance of the bill in combating familial and cyclical abuse, calling it a problem that transcends generations of Kentuckians. He recognized his mistake and expressed hope that it would not hinder the chances of the corrected version of the bill. Wilson’s swift action in withdrawing and refiling the bill within a 24-hour period showcased the efficiency of the legislative system.
The new version of the bill, House Bill 289, was subsequently filed, reinstating the prohibition on sexual contact with first cousins, as well as other specified relatives, such as parents, children, grandparents, and siblings. Wilson clarified that this bill made no other changes to the current law.
Nick Wilson gained fame after winning the reality TV show “Survivor: David vs. Goliath” in 2018 and later appeared on “Survivor: Winners at War” in 2020. His involvement in politics has not been without controversy, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ issues. Last year, Wilson faced criticism from activists for voting in favor of SB 150, a bill that prohibited sex change surgeries and transgender medical treatment for minors. Wilson defended his support of the bill as aimed at protecting children from making life-altering decisions at a young age.
Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear vetoed SB 150, but the Republican-controlled legislature overrode the veto, making it law. The measure faced legal challenges, but in October, Kentucky’s ban on transgender procedures for minors was upheld in federal court. The law also included provisions to prevent school administrators from concealing students’ transitions from parents or requiring the use of pronouns not in line with biological sex.
Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron defended the law as a commonsense measure intended to protect children from the irreversible effects of experimental drug treatments. The ban on transgender procedures for minors has sparked debate and has been seen as a contentious issue between Democrats and Republicans.
Overall, the situation surrounding Rep. Nick Wilson’s mistaken bill to combat family sexual abuse highlights the importance of careful drafting and review processes in legislation. While Wilson’s error attracted attention and scrutiny, his prompt action to rectify the mistake demonstrates the efficiency of the legislative system. The controversy surrounding Wilson’s previous stance on transgender issues also adds to the ongoing debate over LGBTQ+ rights in Kentucky.
