Frank Alegria, Patriot Academy Alumni
As the dust settles in the Texas House concerning the “bathroom bill,” the advocates and the opposition dig in once more for a lengthy battle on Capitol Hill. With the mainstream media and its bias, coupled with the confusion on what exactly the bill entails, many are left wondering, what exactly does the law do to minorities in the Lone Star State of Texas?
Contrary to claims by LGBT activists, the law does not discriminate against individuals who “identify as transgender.” Rather, the legislation merely discourages men or women from interchangeably using the other’s bathroom. In doing so, the bill would not only make public restrooms much safer for users, but also prevent abuse of “open” facilities by those with malicious intents.
In addition to this, the Texas Privacy Act would protect the privacy of individuals in public facilities. No longer would men or boys be able to cite transgenderism as reason for admittance into a women’s public restroom. Instead, the bill would require people to use bathrooms concording with their original biological sex, regardless of what “gender label” they currently identify under.
Finally, the regulations listed within the bill would apply to entities sponsored by the state, meaning public schools, universities, and state government buildings. Additionally, local ordinances legalizing “open” bathroom policies would be overridden. However, the legislation would not apply to private businesses – owners would still have the right to set their own restroom policies.
As evidenced by how the bill has been crafted, it is clear that it is not meant to discriminate against individuals who claim to be transgender. Nor is the legislation born out of bigotry or hatred of any peculiar minority. Rather, it attempts to walk the fine line to of protecting the privacy of individuals while respecting their rights and liberties as well.
