The Texas Senate on Wednesday passed a “bathroom bill” that would require transgender people to use the bathrooms that match their birth gender when in public buildings, setting up consideration of the controversial bill in the House.
After nearly five hours of debate, the bill was approved in a mostly party line 21-10 vote. Only one Democrat, Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., or Brownsville, voted in favor of the bill.
Republicans control both the Senate and House, though the GOP members in the House have been reluctant to take up the legislation.
The legislation, Senate Bill 6, would mandate that transgender individuals in public schools, universities and government buildings use the restroom facility that corresponds with their birth gender. It would also do away with any city ordinances that allow for restroom choice based on gender identity.
SB6 would not apply to private businesses or public buildings leased out to private entities.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been a staunch supporter of passing a bathroom bill in Texas, and he praised the legislation’s passage in the Senate.
“The Texas Privacy Act reflects common decency and common sense and is essential to protect public safety. It protects Texas businesses and codifies what has always been common practice in Texas and everywhere else — that men, women, boys and girls should use separate, designated restrooms, locker rooms and showers in government buildings and public schools,” Patrick said in a statement.
Under current Texas law, it is not illegal for a man to enter a woman’s restroom, changing room or locker room. Republicans argue the legislation is meant to protect the security and privacy of women and girls.
Sporting organizations like the NCAA and NFL have warned Texas that if it passes SB6, it will be in danger of losing future events. The NCAA withdrew numerous championship events from North Carolina this year after it passed the controversial House Bill 2 nearly a year ago, a bathroom bill very similar to Texas’s that caused transgender rights to shoot to the forefront of the news.
The Trump administration recently rescinded Obama-era guidelines that required schools to allows transgender students access to the bathroom facility matching their gender identity.
