Hempstead board adopts resolution preserving 'mother' and 'father' in town forms

Supervisor Ferretti introduced and the Town of Hempstead Town Board adopted a resolution declaring the town will continue to use the terms “mother” and “father” in the town code, building-zone ordinance and all town forms and applications. The measure passed after a roll-call vote by the full board.

The resolution, described by its sponsor as a local response to pending changes in state law, states that Hempstead will retain “mother” and “father” wording on town documents rather than substitute neutral terms used in recent state legislation. “Frankly, this legislation … is woke nonsense that’s being put on us by New York State,” the sponsor said, arguing the town should preserve traditional family terminology.

The board took no public comment on the resolution before moving for adoption. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from Supervisor Ferretti, Councilman Dunn, Deputy Supervisor Guzby, Councilwoman Miller, Councilman Muscarella, Councilwoman Ryder and Councilman Schneider; the item was approved. The resolution text says it applies to the town code, building-zone ordinance and “any application, form, or other document prescribed by the Town of Hempstead.”

Town officials did not present implementing language changes or a timeline during the meeting. Board members who voted in favor did not offer amendments on record. The board did not identify any specific town forms affected during the meeting.

The board’s next steps, as stated at the meeting, are administrative: town staff will update town forms and code references as needed to reflect the resolution. The record does not show any legal analysis presented at the meeting about state-law preemption or potential conflicts with the New York State Family Court Act and Social Services Law, which were cited by the sponsor as the reason for the local action.

The board moved on to scheduled public hearings after adopting the resolution.