© 2024 KRWG
News that Matters.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Senate Democratic Caucus: "Bathroom Bill" Creates a Hazard in Texas

Commentary: Today, Senate Bill 6 was voted out of the Senate, a week after hundreds of Texans testified against the bill in committee. The bill would require transgender people to use restrooms and changing facilities in public buildings that do not match their gender identity. The Senate Democratic Caucus (SDC) opposes S.B. 6 because it is unconstitutionally discriminatory, bad for business, and creates a public safety hazard.

"Forcing transgender men to use the women's restroom and other intimate facilities and transgender women to use the men's restroom would create a public safety hazard that would put persons at risk, without any increase in safety for other Texans," said Sen. Judith Zaffirini, the only member of the Senate State Affairs Committee who voted against S.B. 6. 

During the public hearing on S.B. 6, Senators heard stories about the beatings, humiliations, bullying, assaults, death threats, and arrests endured by transgender men, women, and children. S.B. 6 would endanger the lives of transgender and gender non-conforming Texans under the pretext of protecting women and children.

Transgender people are four times more likely to be victims of sexual assault than the general population, and up to a third of those report being harassed by law enforcement when they do report crimes.

"The Legislature shouldn't be in the business of discriminating against some of our most vulnerable Texans," said Sen. José Rodríguez, Chairman of the SDC. "We should focus on funding our public schools and health care, not policing bathrooms."

More than 20 proposed amendments to mitigate public safety, discrimination issues, and economic impact were rejected. S.B. 6 will have a significant negative impact on our state's business and tourism sector. The NFL and NBA commissioners have said they would keep high-profile events, including the Super Bowl and the NBA All-Star Game, out of Texas if this type of discriminatory legislation passes. S.B. 6 will cost Texas millions of dollars while risking Texans' jobs and public safety.  

***

The Texas Senate Democratic Caucus is comprised of the following members: Sen. José Rodríguez of El Paso (Chair), Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa of Mission (Vice Chair), Sen. John Whitmire of Houston, Sen. Judith Zaffirini of Laredo, Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr. of Brownsville, Sen. Royce West of Dallas, Sen. Carlos Uresti of San Antonio, Sen. Kirk Watson of Austin, Sen. Sylvia Garcia of Houston, Sen. José Menéndez of San Antonio, and Sen. Borris Miles of Houston.