Texas has implemented Senate Bill 8, also called the "bathroom bill." The law requires that multi-occupancy restrooms in public schools, universities, and state and city buildings be used based on a person’s sex assigned at birth. Private businesses are not affected. Shayla Anderson with Fort Bend County Pride told Click2Houston, "I have never had an incident where I have seen a female assigned at birth… this is just now becoming an issue."
The legislation's ambiguous wording leaves institutions to decipher what taking "every reasonable step" means to comply with the law, without providing explicit enforcement guidelines. Yet, advocates have expressed concern over the vague language potentially leading to discriminatory enforcement practices. Sen. Paul Bettencourt, one of the bill’s authors, declined to comment, while Sen. Mayes Middleton told Click2Houston the bill aims to protect women's safety and privacy from what he terms "radical gender ideology."
Under Senate Bill 17, Texas universities have limited courses on gender ideology and reduced gender-affirming care. UT San Antonio moved 30 students to different dorms and "is working with each of them individually to ensure a smooth transition," spokesperson Joe Izbrand said, as per Statesman. Texas State University has not made major changes, and Austin Community College is updating restroom signs to follow the law.
