As Texas continues to reel from catastrophic floods that left at least 134 people dead and over 100 missing earlier this month, Republican lawmakers are under fire for using a special legislative session — intended to address the disaster — to push anti-trans legislation.
Originally, Governor Greg Abbott had called a special session in June to revisit six bills he had vetoed, including one aimed at banning the sale of hemp-derived THC products. However, following the devastating flash floods on 4 July, the focus of the session — beginning Monday (21 July) — shifted to include disaster readiness, early warning systems, and emergency communication reforms.
But while the floods dominate headlines, lawmakers have filed dozens of bills unrelated to disaster recovery. According to NBC News, citing Austin affiliate KXAN-TV, none of the 82 bills filed on the first day related to the flooding crisis.
Instead, one of the most prominent bills submitted was House Bill 32 — dubbed the Texas Women’s Privacy Act. Introduced by Republican Rep. Valoree Swanson, the bill aims to force transgender people to use public toilets that correspond to their sex assigned at birth in schools, government buildings, and correctional facilities.
The legislation is framed as a measure to “protect women’s privacy in sex-segregated spaces” but has been widely condemned by LGBTQ+ advocacy groups as discriminatory and dangerous.
Steep Penalties and Civil Lawsuits
If passed, the bill would impose financial penalties of up to USD $5,000 for a first violation, and up to USD $25,000 for repeat infractions. Public agencies in violation could also face civil lawsuits.
The bill mandates that:
“A political subdivision or state agency shall ensure each multiple-occupancy private space in a building the political subdivision or state agency owns, operates, or controls is designated for and used only by individuals of the same biological sex.”
LGBTQ+ advocates argue this language not only erases trans identities but also makes schools and public buildings hostile and unsafe for trans people.
“They Don’t Believe Trans People Belong Here”
The Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT) condemned the move, accusing lawmakers of using a natural disaster as political cover for a discriminatory agenda.
In a statement posted to Instagram, the group wrote:
“Texas leadership has made their opinion loud and clear – they do not believe trans people have the right to call Texas home.”
Critics have also highlighted the contrast between the urgent need for disaster response and the legislature’s focus on culture-war issues instead.
While Texans are still searching for missing loved ones, recovering bodies, and rebuilding, lawmakers appear more interested in reviving tired anti-trans talking points than passing legislation that could help devastated communities recover.
