The controversial Texas ‘bathroom bill’ has died in the Texas Legislature this week following a robust campaign from LGBT+ activists, businesses and faith leaders.
“It’s official: Texas legislators have adjourned without passing a new anti-transgender bill this special session,” said JoDee Winterhof from the Human Rights Campaign.
“First and foremost, these bills were defeated because of the many voices that came out in opposition, raising their voices in one chorus to say, ‘don’t discriminate in the Lone Star State.’
“To be sure, these same voices that opposed discrimination this session will make the same level of noise in the future if lawmakers attempt to discriminate against any members of our communities again.”
The Human Rights Campaign have put together a list of the people who helped to stop the bill in its tracks—including child welfare organisations, law enforcement, businesses and faith leaders and transgender Texans and their families.
A version of the bill was passed in the Senate but the Texas House of Representatives ended its special session without passing the anti-transgender legislation.
“I'm disappointed,” said Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, the bill’s author. “In our most intimate spaces, there should be some lines drawn.”
The Republican lieutenant governor— Dan Patrick—warned that another anti-trans bill would return in its place.
“You know why it’s going to be back next session? Because the people will demand it,” Mr. Patrick told reporters. “The issue is not going to go away.”
LGBT+ activists such as Dan Quinn, from the Texas Freedom Network, are remaining cautious, fully aware that the bill could return.
"This is certainly an encouraging moment, but it’s not an absolute victory here,” Quinn told Vice News.
“We’re going to keep fighting these bills every time the Legislature comes back to town, because the leaders in the Senate and in the governor’s mansion are obsessed with passing this kind of bill.”
