Introduction to the Bathroom Ban Bill
A man was removed from a House panel after tensions escalated during testimony on a bill that would restrict what bathrooms and locker rooms transgender people can use. CJ Grisham, who spoke in favor of Senate Bill 8, told lawmakers there is no such thing as transgender people. He stated, "There are mentally ill men who think they are women and there are mentally ill women who think they’re men." After he finished testifying, there was clear commotion from members of the public. Grisham was ultimately escorted out of the committee room after he became disruptive.
The Incident and Its Aftermath
The man left the hearing without incident, and no charges or warnings were issued. Grisham said he filed a complaint with the sergeant-at-arms of the House for what he believes was the rules being unfairly targeted against him since other individuals were not kicked out of the room as well. Grisham said he was allowed back into the committee room. The incident occurred during a two-hour hearing for a bill known as the bathroom ban. The bill would prohibit government entities like cities, counties, school districts, and universities from adopting policies that would allow transgender people to use private facilities of the gender they identify as.
The Bathroom Ban Bill Explained
The bill, also known as SB 8, would extend to facilities in state agencies. House lawmakers on the State Affairs committee did not advance the bill out of committee, but they can vote it out at any future meeting. The bill will likely reach the House floor at some point next week as House Speaker Dustin Burrows has previously said he would like to finish all the agenda items for the second special session by the Labor Day weekend. Multiple transgender Texans also spoke out against the bill, with one calling it a "monstrously cruel, discriminatory bill designed to erase trans people from daily public life."
Opposition to the Bill
Transgender woman Jerrica Van Sluyter said, "Trans people have never been a threat to you, we’re just trying to live our lives when we use a bathroom. We’re there to pee and get on with our day, so why do you insist on making us the enemy today?" There was another instance where a man made a threat against transgender people, resulting in Chair Ken King instructing the man to not make threats. The man, Jack Finger from the San Antonio Family Association, said he was "tempted to help that gentleman save money on his transgendered operation by physically helping him get there." King immediately interrupted, saying, "Sir, we will not make threats in this committee."
Support for the Bill
House Rep. Angelia Orr, the House sponsor of SB 8, said the bill will protect the safety and privacy of women and children in public and private spaces. Gov. Greg Abbott added the bathroom ban to the agendas for both special sessions after the bill failed to pass during the regular legislative session earlier this year. It has been eight years since Republican legislators tried — and failed — to pass a similar bathroom ban in an overtime session. Back then, more than 720 businesses and their leaders publicly opposed the ban, and it ultimately died in the House.
Lack of Evidence for the Bill
Rep. Rafael Anchía, a member of the House State Affairs panel, said there has not been documented evidence of assaults committed by transgender women in any bathrooms since 2017. The News could not find any documented reports of transgender people being arrested in Texas for assaulting someone in a bathroom or locker rooms. A Williams Institute analysis found that 12% of respondents reported being verbally harassed, physically attacked, or sexually assaulted when using a restroom in the last year. Trans men who regularly used the women’s restroom were 48% more likely to have been verbally harassed in a bathroom and twice as likely to have been denied access to a bathroom in the last year than those who regularly used the men’s restroom.
Potential Consequences of the Bill
SB 8 would not create a new state crime, but it would impose fines for anyone who violates the law. The bill proposes a $5,000 fine for the first penalty and $25,000 for each subsequent violation. Public testimony on Friday was limited to only two hours for SB 8. Of the 528 people who registered their position on SB 8, 505 were against the bill, 20 supported it, and three were neutral. Not all 528 people spoke Friday. Andrew Hendrickson, the government relations coordinator for the ACLU of Texas, told the committee that SB 8 could lead to over-enforcement as individuals are going to attempt to screen who is transgender and who is not. Doing so could also lead to discrimination, he said.
Conclusion
The bathroom ban bill has sparked intense debate and opposition from the transgender community and their allies. While supporters of the bill claim it is necessary to protect the safety and privacy of women and children, opponents argue that it is a discriminatory and cruel bill that targets a vulnerable population. As the bill moves forward, it is essential to consider the potential consequences and the lack of evidence supporting its necessity.
FAQs
Q: What is the bathroom ban bill?
A: The bathroom ban bill, also known as SB 8, is a bill that would prohibit government entities from adopting policies that allow transgender people to use private facilities of the gender they identify as.
Q: Who supports the bill?
A: The bill is supported by House Rep. Angelia Orr and Gov. Greg Abbott, among others.
Q: Who opposes the bill?
A: The bill is opposed by multiple transgender Texans, the ACLU of Texas, and many others who argue that it is discriminatory and cruel.
Q: What are the potential consequences of the bill?
A: The bill could lead to over-enforcement, discrimination, and fines for individuals who violate the law.
Q: Is there evidence to support the bill?
A: There is no documented evidence of assaults committed by transgender women in any bathrooms since 2017, and many argue that the bill is not necessary to protect public safety.
