AUSTIN, Texas _ The Senate on Tuesday easily passed the so-called bathroom bill, a controversial piece of legislation that has divided lawmakers and caused an uproar in the LGBT community.
After more than 4/12 hours of debate, the bill passed by a vote of 21-10 along mostly partisan lines. One Democrat, Sen. Eddie Lucio, broke with his party and voted in favor of the bill. Because of a procedural requirement, they must wait one more day to formally pass the bathroom bill to the House, which is also dominated by Republicans but whose members are far less eager to take it up.
"Don't think I don't pray about this and make sure we're making the right decision," said Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, a Republican who is sponsoring the bill. "I think it is incumbent upon us to give guidance.
"The people of Texas expect boundaries between gender."
Her legislation, Senate Bill 6, would require people to use bathrooms in public schools, universities and government buildings that match the "biological sex" noted on their birth certificates. The bill would apply to places like the state Capitol in Austin, city halls, state agencies and the hundreds of schools and public universities across the state.
It would also nix city ordinances that allow people to use the bathrooms, dressing rooms and locker rooms that correspond to one's gender identity. The bill would not apply to private businesses or public buildings that are leased out to private entities, letting them set their own bathroom policies.
