Texas against LGBTQIA people.
In the city of Odessa in Texas, USA, the City Council passed a policy via a 5-2 vote to ban transgender people from using restrooms outside of the sex assigned to them at birth.
This expands a 1989 ordinance that prohibits individuals from entering restrooms of the opposite sex.
During the public testimony, Alexander Ermels, president of PFLAG’s Midland and Odessa chapter and a transgender man, said that this is “unnecessary” and is a “complete waste of the city’s time, money and resources.”
Speaking for PFLAG – one of the oldest LGBTQIA advocacy organizations in the US – Ermels added: “It’s not addressing any real problem in our community. Instead, it’s creating one, making people worried about something that just is not an issue.”
With this ordinance, the city can fine transgender people who use a restroom that matches their gender identity up to $500 for trespassing charges. This also allows “offended” individuals to sue and seek no less than $10,000 in damages plus the cost of the lawsuit and attorney fees.
The only exclusion are parents of children of the opposite sex who are younger than 12 years old, maintenance and custodial workers, law enforcement officials, and during medical emergencies.
The ban applies to “any building, facility or space owned, leased or controlled by, or leased to, the city of Odessa including but not limited to community centers, libraries, airports, park facilities and administrative office buildings.”
