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Texas bill introduced on August 15 aims to penalize individuals who utilize spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and shelters that do not align with their biological sex. The proposed bill would set a $5,000 fine for first offenses, with subsequent offenses rising as high as $25,000.
In response, trans activists took to the Texas state capitol building and staged a sit-in in the bathrooms, holding signs demanding that Texas “flush bathroom bigotry,” and they loudly declared the bill’s author, Mayes Middleton, a “bathroom bigot.” The demonstration by the nine activists was supported by the
Gender Liberation Movement.
This protest follows one that was held earlier this year in response to Republican lawmaker Nancy Mace’s
bill targeting trans people using preferred bathrooms at the U.S. capitol building, specifically Sarah McBride, the only openly trans lawmaker in congress.
In a
public hearing regarding the Texas bill on August 22, Jack Finger of the San Antonio Family Association stated that he was “tempted to help that gentleman save money on his transgendered operation by physically helping him get there” in the supposed “couple of times” that he’s seen trans women in women’s spaces. Nobody appeared to question why Finger was observing women’s spaces in the first place. He was warned by Republican committee chairman Ken King to not make threats toward others, which is apparently something that needs to be said to the champions of family values.
Discrimination and violence against trans people in the U.S. continue to thrive under the Trump administration. However, the bravery and resilience of the queer community, especially in states like Texas, has shone through time and time again. The nine trans activists that staged the bathroom protest are beacons of hope and strong examples to others on how presence and visibility matters, even in the face of tyranny.
The Trans Lifeline can be reached at 877-565-8860. The Trevor Project can be reached at 1-866-488-7386 or by texting “START” to 678-678. The Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting “TALK” to 741-741.
By Lily Rose
