Texas lawmakers have passed Senate Bill 8, anti-trans legislation that restricts bathroom use in government buildings and schools to sex assigned at birth.
The bill includes a $25,000 fine against institutions where violations occur, and $125,000 for any subsequent violations, making it the most financially punitive bathroom bill in the country.
New: A Texas bill that would restrict which restrooms transgender people can use in government buildings and schools is now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. https://t.co/GHSJdwsAiT
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) September 4, 2025
From the Texas Tribune:
House representatives approved Senate Bill 8 on a 86-45 vote Thursday after several hours of tense discussion that was at times interrupted by people in the gallery shouting insults at lawmakers who supported the bill.
SB 8 would restrict bathroom use in government-owned buildings, public schools and universities based of sex assigned at birth and would not allow exceptions for transgender inmates’ housing in prisons and jails.
It would also bar those assigned male at birth from accessing women’s domestic violence shelters, unless they are under 17 and the child of a woman also receiving services.
I really don’t get the arguments against trans women using the ladies room. The insinuation appears to be that straight men will throw on a dress in order to go into ladies rooms to sexually assault women? There are already laws on the books addressing assault.
All this will do is incite harassment against trans people.
During debate, Rep. Erin Zwiener, D-Driftwood, brought up the obvious: “Who do you think is more uncomfortable in the bathroom today? A cis woman, or a trans woman wondering if she’s about to be harassed?”
And Rep. Jessica Gonzalez, D-Dallas, (a cisgender woman) said she personally had been accused of entering the wrong restroom in the Texas Capitol.
I have several trans friends who have told me they plan ahead in regard to knowing where a single-use bathroom may be available throughout their day, in order to avoid any possible confrontations.
What people never seem to bring up are the trans men who would be forced to use the ladies room. If women think they are “uncomfortable” with men in their restrooms, how will they react if these guys (all openly trans) are forced to relieve themselves in the ladies room?
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