People lined up outside the committee room today to speak out against that so called 'Bathroom Bill' before the State Senate State Affairs Committee, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
The measure, which would limit the use of public rest rooms in public buildings and schools, is sponsored by State Senator Lois Kohlkorst (R-Brenham), who told the Committee that it is to protect the 'safety, privacy, and dignity' of public school students.
"This bill will hit the reset button, and provide our state with a level of privacy and safety that Texans expect," she said.
Kohlkorst said opposing the bill equals opposing women's drive for full equality in athletics. A former college athlete herself, Kohlkorst said allowing biological men to use women's locker rooms will undo all of the progress made by Title IX, because women will decide not to take up college athletics rather than shower and dress next to men in locker rooms.
She says Texas seek out this fight, the bill is in response to the Obama Adminsitration's now rescinded directive ordering public schools to allow transgender students to use the rest room that matches their 'gender identity.'
"We have people make fun of this and say it is a waste of time," she said. "But this issue is about much more than bathrooms. This is about the right of a person to declare their gender, and the right of a parent to protect a child."
Among those who spoke out against the bill was San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, who was joined by Visit San Antonio President Casandra Matej.
"San Antonio is a welcome and inclusive place, where people from many backgrounds and beliefs come together to make it a great place to live and visit," Nirenberg said. "These bills are in direct conflict with the values we hold as a community."
Nirenberg said the passage of the 'Bathroom Bill' would place San Antonio and Texas at a disadvantage when it comes to attracting business relocations, conventions and major sporting events.
"Just the filing of the bill has already cost San Antonio millions of dollars in lost conventions," he said. Perez cited opposition from San Antonio's Chambers of Commerce, from the tech industry, from business groups and from Bexar County's school districts.
He also cited comments by Police Chief William McManus that sexual assault in public rest rooms is not a problem for San Antonio.
"Multiple state laws already criminalize the conduct this bill purports to address," Nirenberg said. "This is a fix in search of a problem."
At the heart of the bill is a belief by supporters that sexual predators will pose as transgender individuals to enter women's restrooms under local Non Discrimination Ordinances which allow individuals to use the public restroom that matches their gender identity. Once inside, the argument goes, they will sexually assault, molest, or simply gawk at the women.
Opponents say not only is restroom crime very rare, but they point out that somebody who is going to commit sexual assault, a Class A felony which carries a penalty of up to life in prison, is unlike to be affected or even care about utilizing a 'non discrimination ordinance' to get into a women's rest room, any more than a 'gun free zone' sign will deter somebody who is determined to commit a felony gun crime.
They also point out that, lacking a rest room monitor at the door of every rest room to check birth certificates, the bill is unenforceable.
Despite the opposition, the Bathroom Bill is expected to pass the Senate, but it faces an uncertain future in the House.