Abbott signs Texas "bathroom bill" into law

[Jessica_Rose]

Abbott signs Texas "bathroom bill" into law

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/abbott-signs-texas-bathroom-bill-into-law/ar-AA1N5n14?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=fff5fe2b6b774ff2dbfb568c5f731090&ei=23

Shafaq Patel (22 Sep 2025)

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill Monday limiting restroom access for transgender people in government buildings and schools.

Senate Bill 8 requires people in government-owned buildings, including public schools and universities, to use certain facilities based on sex assigned at birth.

It affects restrooms, locker rooms, shower rooms and changing rooms. And it limits the family violence shelters, prisons and jails that trans people can be placed into.

A last-minute amendment from Rep. Steve Toth (R-Conroe) raised fines to $25,000 per violation — and $125,000 for subsequent violations — making SB 8 the most financially punitive bathroom bill in the nation, per the Texas Tribune.

Enforcement is still fuzzy. Agencies must take "every reasonable step," but it's unclear what that will entail. The law is effective as of Dec. 4.

Opponents argue the law is unnecessary and that it fuels harassment of transgender and cisgender people falsely accused of entering the wrong facility.

"By signing SB 8, Governor Abbott has cemented one of the most intrusive and discriminatory policies in Texas law. This bill fuels stigma, harassment, and humiliation for transgender Texans, especially children, who are simply trying to go about their daily lives," Texas Freedom Network political director Rocío Fierro-Pérez said in a statement.

"I am devastated to see this atrocious legislation pass," Emmett Schelling, executive director of the Transgender Education Network of Texas, said in a statement. "They can try as hard as they want, nobody will ever shatter the trans community or take away our deep and innate understanding of who we genuinely are."

[Lori Dee]

"What sex were you when you were born?"

Me: "I don't remember. It was a long time ago, and I was very young."

"Let me see your birth certificate."

Me: "Let me see yours. Don't you have it with you?"

"Nobody carries their birth certificate with them."

Me: "Exactly. Now, can I go pee?"