AFN has reported extensively over the past months about the Texas Women's Privacy Act. Mary Elizabeth Castle of Texas Values tells AFN it will soon become a reality.
The law imposes sex-based restrictions on access to multiple-occupancy restrooms, showers, changing rooms, and locker rooms in public buildings owned or operated by political subdivisions and state agencies, including county and city buildings, public schools, charter schools, and public universities.
It also mandates that Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) prisons house inmates based on sex assigned at birth and restricts certain family violence shelters serving female victims to those assigned female at birth or their children under 17.
"Yes, the Texas Women's Privacy Act is a law that will protect women in their showers, locker rooms, all of their private spaces that should be separated based on biological sex. The message is clear: you don't mess with Texas women in their private spaces, and we are very excited for this long-awaited victory on having a common sense protection for women."
She pointed out that over the past couple of years, there have been many instances of men who claim to be women or otherwise identify as women being granted access into women's locker rooms, restrooms, or showers.
"We've seen in the news where we have female athletes who've had to share locker rooms with other male athletes, and we even had instances in Texas, even at local school districts where male students were allowed to go in the girls' locker rooms.”
But, Castle said this law changes that.
"This law clearly defines male and female in law, and it also says that when it comes to these intimate private spaces like the restroom, the bathroom, the locker room, that they must be separated based on biological sex, and you must enter the correct facility based on your biological sex."
She described this as a "long-awaited victory."
“Texas Values will be having a press conference with Senator Mayes Middleton, some other representatives, and other people who have been in this long fight on Thursday. This is actually kind of the birthplace of this issue. Back in 2015, Houston City Council tried to implement a law that would have forced businesses to allow men in women's restrooms, and that was defeated.”
On a local level, Houston voters defeated the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) 61%-39%.
Many voters expressed apprehension that the law would allow men to enter women's restrooms by permitting individuals to use facilities corresponding to their gender identity.
Opponents called it a threat to public safety.
Supporters of HERO maintained that the ordinance was necessary to protect marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, from discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
Now there are protections statewide.
“We are very excited about this law going into effect on Thursday. You can learn more by going to protect Texas women dot com."
