It’s been almost a month since we’ve featured a group of progressives chanting “Shame!” in unison, so here is a group of protesters showing their opposition to Texas’ version of North Carolina’s “bathroom bill” as it was introduced Thursday by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst.
Handful of protestors chanting "shame" following unveiling of Texas "bathroom bill" #txlege #sb6 pic.twitter.com/ADjdXjJOQ3
— Alexa Ura (@alexazura) January 5, 2017
More on SB6 protesters: "Shame!Shame!$ pic.twitter.com/PnONQ0Q4cE
— Chuck Lindell (@chucklindell) January 5, 2017
Protestors drown out Lt Gov. Dan Patrick and Sen Lois Kolkhorst announcement of SB6 on transgender bathrooms in Texas. #statesman #txlege pic.twitter.com/FMcKgoUj4n
— Ralph Barrera (@RalphBarrera) January 5, 2017
Texas Senate Bill 6, the Texas Privacy Act, is being called the “bathroom bill,” much like its counterpart in North Carolina. It would preempt local nondiscrimination ordinances that allow transgender Texans to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.
Mayor Annise Parker in 2015 introduced HERO, or the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance, to provide protections for gay, bisexual and transgender Americans in her city, but the referendum was crushed at the ballot box, inspiring Parker to label the voters in her city transphobes.
The fight over transgender access to restrooms and locker rooms now goes statewide.
Here's what TX "bathroom bill" does:
-Nullifies local ordinances that allow transgender people to use bathroom based gender identity #txlege— Alexa Ura (@alexazura) January 5, 2017
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-Requires that bathroom use in public schools, govt buildings and universities be "designated for use" based on "biological sex" #txlege
— Alexa Ura (@alexazura) January 5, 2017
But still allows for schools to accommodate transgender students on case-by-case basis #txlege
— Alexa Ura (@alexazura) January 5, 2017
Details here: Following North Carolina's lead, Texas GOP unveils so-called “bathroom bill" https://t.co/466T9uUiL0 Updates soon. #txlege
— Alexa Ura (@alexazura) January 5, 2017
Sen. Kolkhorst said the bill would protect every Texan’s right to personal privacy …
Today I filed Senate Bill 6, the Texas Privacy Act, to protect every Texans right to personal privacy. #txlege https://t.co/6rKmN1zabj
— Senator Lois Kolkhorst (@loiskolkhorst) January 5, 2017
… while Sen. Sylvia R. Garcia maintained that all Texans want to go to the bathroom in peace.
All Texans want to go to the restroom in peace, including transgender people. I'll fight any job-flushing "Bathroom Bill" in the #TXLege pic.twitter.com/zmnEjRSGlN
— Sylvia R. Garcia (@LaCongresista) January 5, 2017
Actually, those two arguments sound perfectly compatible, although Garcia followed up by calling the bill a job-killer, citing a study that says it could cost the state $8.5 billion.
Instead of focusing on classrooms we are here talking about bathrooms, #SB6 is a job killing bill and we must fight to kill it #txlege pic.twitter.com/7AadPiAkMD
— Sylvia R. Garcia (@LaCongresista) January 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/bradleybowen/status/817090234932412417
Texans didn't send us to #TXLege to deal with bathrooms, @DanPatrick. Can we please help pre-k and CPS kids instead? #SB6 = waste of time.
— Mayor Eric Johnson (@Johnson4Dallas) January 5, 2017
Patrick seems up for the fight, having tweeted his support to North Carolina’s legislature last month.
Lt. Governor Patrick applauds North Carolina decision not to repeal HB 2. Read and RT here: https://t.co/StNQX2t3ER #txlege pic.twitter.com/VZQPOg8eKA
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) December 22, 2016
#ICYMI: Data shows majority of Texas voters broadly support privacy protection legislation. Read & RT: https://t.co/qcQz3uQQZv #txlege
— Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) January 5, 2017
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