The Texas Women’s Privacy Act, or Texas Senate Bill 8, was approved by the Senate on August 6 and will be considered in the second special legislative session. The bill would prevent transgender individuals from using restrooms that correspond with their gender identity if it were approved.
Sen. Mayes Middleton, the bill’s filer, stated at a press conference that it makes sense to want to ensure that men are not permitted in women’s intimate areas. These limits have been in place for many centuries. They are limits derived from biological reality. This measure maintains such boundaries and makes them enforceable because they are founded on biblical truth.
The same House Bill 52, which was unsuccessful in the regular session, is brought back to life by SB 8. If HB 52 had been approved, it would have mandated that individuals use restrooms, locker rooms, and shelters in government buildings—including those at universities—in accordance with the biological sex indicated on their original documents. SB 8 may increase the danger of discrimination and damage for queer and transgender Texans, according to Emily Witt, communications and media strategist for the progressive Texas Freedom Network.
According to Witt, it fosters a culture of brutality, hatred, and fear among its right-wing followers. Organizing people against someone you have demonized is far simpler than genuinely working to resolve actual problems.
Additionally, the law would allow citizen complaints to result in fines, which could amount to $5,000 for a first offense and $25,000 for each additional offense.
“This bill has strong penalties to enforce that Texas will not bow to the woke left’s gender identity delusions,” Middleton stated.
Witt noted that because the measure exposes people to bullying and harassment based solely on their looks, it may also make transgender and cisgender Texans more anxious when navigating public life.
Will someone accuse a lady of being transgender if she enters a restroom with a pixie cut because she may not conform to their preconceived notions of what a woman should look like? Witt uttered those words.
According to Transgender Education Network Texas policy intern Safara Malone, the bill excludes the transgender population from public life.
According to Malone, there isn’t much concern about how this may impact other people. Gaining support from a radical conservative voting base is more important here than the messaging.
Malone stated that transgender advocacy organizations are dedicated to protecting the rights of their community in Texas, even in the face of the bill.
According to Malone, we will continue to fight for trans youth and ensure our survival and well-being. We support transgender persons, even when the Texas government does not.
