Houston Area Activists Hope To Challenge Texas Bathroom Bill

HOUSTON, TX — A small group of about a dozen activists is expected to take part in a protest of proposed legislation that addresses the use of public restrooms based on biological sex and not gender identity.

The protesters loaded into a van at about 5:30 a.m. Monday in the parking lot of the Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church and plan to join protesters at the Scottish Rite Theater at 207 W. 18th St. in Austin.

Senate Bill 6, which was authored by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, a Republican in Brenham, has gotten considerable support from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. (For news updates on this story and other Houston news, just click here to get Patch's daily newsletter and free, real-time news alerts).

In January, Patrick announced the filing of SB6 on the lieutenant governor’s web page, and in his statement, he said the new bill was a stand for common decency.

“This legislation codifies what has been common practice in Texas and everywhere else forever — that men and women should use separate, designated bathrooms,” Patrick said in his statement. “It is supported by an overwhelming majority of Texans including both Democrats and Republicans, Hispanics, African-Americans and Anglos, men and women.”

The bill has already garnered attention from outside Texas.

In February, the National Football League threatened to remove consideration from NFL cities in Texas to host future Super Bowl events should the bill pass into law.

If SB 6 is approved, it would amend sections of Texas’ Local Government Code and would provide businesses, school districts and state agencies with the option of designating bathrooms or changing-room facilities for those who identify as transgendered, but it will also require those same entities to provide bathroom or changing room facilities designated specifically for either male or female genders.

To read the bill in its entirety, click here

However, there are exceptions to the proposed legislation.

The statute does not apply to maintenance personnel who enter the restroom of the opposite sex for cleaning or repair purposes, EMS personnel who are rendering emergency medical assistance, an adult who accompanies a child who is 8 years old or younger or accompanying someone who may need assistance with the facilities.

Despite the appearance of heavy opposition to the bill, SB 6 does have bipartisan support in the Texas Senate.

Sen. Eddie Lucio, a Democrat in Brownsville, said during a press conference on Monday that he will vote in favor of the bill.

“We can be compassionate and fair to all, while working to defend human dignity, to avoid bigotry, and to respect religious liberty and individual morality,” Lucio said. “With that said, we cannot pretend to understand the struggles of (transgendered). Each of us has our own journey and challenges in life.”

The bill is expected to be debated in committee this week.

If it is approved by the House and Senate, the new law would take effect on Sept. 1.

Image: State of Texas

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