Transgender Rights in Texas

Introduction to Senate Bill 7

AUSTIN — Transgender people in Texas would be required to use private spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms based on the sex they were assigned at birth under a bill passed by a Texas Senate panel Monday afternoon. Senate Bill 7, authored by Republican Sen. Mayes Middleton of Galveston, will mandate that people use private spaces in state, county or municipal buildings, according to the sex listed in their original birth certificate.

The bill covers restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, shower rooms, correctional facilities, family violence shelters and sleeping quarters. The Senate committee on State Affairs passed the bill on a 7-0 vote after hearing testimony from hundreds of individuals in an hours-long hearing Monday. A majority of people who testified spoke against the bill.

Purpose of the Bill

Gov. Greg Abbott instructed lawmakers to pass a bill like SB 7 when he called lawmakers back to Austin for a special session that was meant to address the floods, as well as redistricting and regulating THC. Middleton said the bill is meant to protect women and children’s privacy. “Safety for women and children should not be sacrificed for the left’s radical gender ideology,” Middleton said.

While SB 7 does not create a new state crime, it would impose fines on anyone who violates the law. Instead, the bill proposes a $5,000 fine for the first penalty and $25,000 for each subsequent violation.

Backlash and Controversy

Several years ago, “bathroom bans” in states like North Carolina and Texas, which aimed to require transgender people to use restrooms aligned with their sex assigned at birth, faced significant backlash. When Texas lawmakers proposed a bathroom ban in 2017, The Dallas Morning News reported that more than 720 businesses and their leaders had publicly opposed the ban.

Some individuals who testified bashed lawmakers for prioritizing the bill rather than focusing on legislation related to emergency management and flood mitigation following the deadly Hill Country floods from last month.

Public Testimony

Still, Texans made their way to Austin to give their thoughts on the bill. Chelsea Bumgarner, who said she was a transgender veteran, testified that she often asks her wife to come with her when she uses public restrooms. “I’m terrified that somebody is going to spot me or say something to me and try to out me and yell at me and embarrass me when I’m in public,” she said. “All I want to do is just go in there and do my business and get the hell out.”

CJ Grisham, a Texas attorney, testified in support of the bill. “Trans people don’t exist,” he said. “There’s just a mentally ill man or a mentally ill woman. The human race cannot transition into something they’re not. That’s not hate. It’s called reality.”

Uncertain Future of the Bill

Even though the bill now heads to the Senate, it’s unclear if SB 7 will reach Abbott’s desk. On Sunday, Texas House Democrats left the state to deny the chamber a quorum in protest of the Republicans’ congressional redistricting proposal that shifts five districts in the GOP’s favor.

Without a quorum in the House, the lower chamber would not be able to pass SB 7 after receiving it from the Senate. The special session ends on Aug. 19.

Demographics of Transgender Adults in Texas

Texas is home to about 93,000 transgender adults, who make up less than 0.5% of the state’s population, according to the Williams Institute.

Conclusion

The passage of Senate Bill 7 by the Texas Senate panel has sparked controversy and debate among Texans. While the bill aims to protect women and children’s privacy, many argue that it discriminates against transgender individuals and restricts their rights. As the bill heads to the Senate, its uncertain future remains a topic of discussion.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Senate Bill 7?

Senate Bill 7 is a bill that requires transgender people in Texas to use private spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms based on the sex they were assigned at birth.

Who authored Senate Bill 7?

Senate Bill 7 was authored by Republican Sen. Mayes Middleton of Galveston.

What is the purpose of Senate Bill 7?

The purpose of Senate Bill 7 is to protect women and children’s privacy, according to its author.

What are the penalties for violating Senate Bill 7?

The bill proposes a $5,000 fine for the first penalty and $25,000 for each subsequent violation.

How many transgender adults live in Texas?

According to the Williams Institute, Texas is home to about 93,000 transgender adults, who make up less than 0.5% of the state’s population.