The Texas State Senate voted Wednesday Morning to approve legislation requiring residents use the bathroom in accordance with the gender on their birth certificate.
Republican Sen. Lois Kolkhorst’s SB 3 passed 21-10 just after midnight Wednesday, following more than 12 hours of debate. Opponents of the bill claimed it violated civil rights of transgender Texans, but Kolkhorst argued the bill was a common sense measure to protect women from potential voyeurism and sexual assault.
“I offer SB 3 … as a solution for Texas,” Kolkhorst said presenting her bill. “It will hit the reset button and provide the privacy and safety that Texans expect.”
Protestors derided the bill as discriminatory, and a group of businesses paid more than $1 million for a televised ad campaign in an attempt to turn Texans against the legislation, according to the Houston Chronicle. Democrats also warned of potential economic consequences if the bill passed and companies like Facebook, Google, and even the NFL left Texas in protest.
They cited a similar bathroom bill passed in North Carolina in 2016, which triggered the NBA to pull its All-Star game out of the state in protest. (RELATED: Trump Says Transgenders Will Not Be Allowed In The Military)
“The NFL could reject Dallas’ bid to host the NFL draft,” the ad claims.
SB 3 is one of many bills considered by the Senate since the Texas legislature began its special session July 18. The special session, called by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, considered must-pass legislation to keep Texas medical programs running as well as 18 other bills, including two pieces of anti-abortion legislation.
Abbott pushed heavily for the bathroom bill, naming it as the priority for the special session following the must-pass bill.
“At a minimum, we need a law that protects the privacy of our children in our public schools,” Abbott said in a statement announcing the session.
SB 3 now goes to the House for approval, where it is expected to face increased opposition.
Send Tips: anders@daiylcallernewsfoundation.org
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
