The state of Texas this week will begin considering the Texas Privacy Act, a controversial bill that would protect women and children through provisions in public restroom policies.
Last month, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced a special session that would begin today, July 18, to discussion this legislation, as well as other 18 other topics in the state over the next 30 days.
Evangelical leader and Texas native Dr. Richard Land, president of Southern Evangelical Seminary (SES, www.ses.edu), has been watching the progression of bathroom policies around the country, especially as they play a part in how gender is considered in America.
If Texas was a country, Land said, it would have 11th largest economy in the world, and therefore, the state will employ its usual “Don’t mess with Texas” attitude with those who may threaten not to do business in Texas over a bathroom policy.
The Texas Privacy Act (SB6) prevents public schools and government buildings from adopting policies that would open women’s showers, bathrooms and changing facilities to men, and visa-versa, according to the Family Research Council, which has been following the issue. If passed, the law would also prevent political subdivisions from forcing businesses and organizations, including contractors, to open their showers, locker rooms and bathrooms to people of the opposite sex. It leaves businesses free to determine their own policies regarding the use of shared bathrooms and showers, FRC reports.
FRC also reported that polling earlier this year showed that the vast majority of Texans, including 80 percent of Republicans and 54 percent of Democrats, support common-sense privacy protections.
To interview Texas native Dr. Richard Land about the Texas Privacy Act, contact Beth Harrison, 610-584-1096, ext. 104, Media@HamiltonStrategies.com.