Texas measures criticized as being discriminatory for limiting transgender people's access to bathrooms in schools and public buildings died on Tuesday, as the House adjourned and ended its special legislative session.
Victory in Texas! #TransRightsAreHumanRights
"Finally, Texans can breathe a temporary sigh of relief," said JoDee Winterhof, an official of the Human Rights Campaign that lobbied against the bills.
"Texans don’t want harmful, anti-transgender legislation," Winterhof, the campaign's senior vice president for policy and political affairs, said in a statement.
Transgender activists and business leaders urged a Texas Senate panel on Friday to scrap legislation that would limit bathroom access for transgender people, saying it was a discriminatory measure that would hurt the state's economy.
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Transgender activists and business leaders urged a Texas Senate panel on Friday to scrap legislation that would limit bathroom access for transgender people, saying it was a discriminatory measure that would hurt the state's economy.
More than 250 civil rights activists, executives and others registered to speak to the Republican-dominated Senate as it began consideration of the measure, the most closely watched item on the state's agenda during a 30-day special session.
So-called "bathroom bills" have become a flashpoint of U.S. culture wars, with social conservatives saying they protect public safety and civil rights activists saying the measures allow government-sanctioned bias against transgender people.
Ashley Smith, a transgender woman and San Antonio architect, said transgender women suffer more violence than the general public, and a bathroom bill would make her more fearful
By John Kanelis / [email protected]
If one were to press me for a response to a certain question, I would say that the Texas Legislature’s biggest surprise this session has been the absence of a bathroom bill similar to one that went down in flames in 2017.
For those who might not recall, here’s a brief recap:
The 2017 Legislature considered a bill pushed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick that…
By John Kanelis / [email protected]
If one were to press me for a response to a certain question, I would say that the Texas Legislature’s biggest surprise this session has been the absence of a bathroom bill similar to one that went down in flames in 2017.
For those who might not recall, here’s a brief recap:
The 2017 Legislature considered a bill pushed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick that…
By JOHN KANELIS / [email protected] Straus is what he calls himself as being a “stay-and-fight Republican,” but it’s unclear to me how much fight has left in his struggle with the party to which he has belonged for decades.
Straus is the former speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. He bowed out of office before the start of the 2019 Legislature, only to watch his successor as…
By JOHN KANELIS / [email protected] Straus is what he calls himself as being a “stay-and-fight Republican,” but it’s unclear to me how much fight has left in his struggle with the party to which he has belonged for decades.
Straus is the former speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. He bowed out of office before the start of the 2019 Legislature, only to watch his successor as…
(AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
By JOHN KANELIS / [email protected]
Texas state Rep. Dade Phelan of Beaumont appears to be the next speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
If he wins the vote among his colleagues, he’ll get to cross swords — maybe, possibly — with the guy who runs the other legislative body, the Senate down the hall. That would be Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Patrick has a…
(AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
By JOHN KANELIS / [email protected]
Texas state Rep. Dade Phelan of Beaumont appears to be the next speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.
If he wins the vote among his colleagues, he’ll get to cross swords — maybe, possibly — with the guy who runs the other legislative body, the Senate down the hall. That would be Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Patrick has a…
