Michigan, Texas Pass Transgender Bathroom Restrictions Amid National Trend

Republican-led legislatures in Michigan and Texas have recently passed bills restricting transgender individuals from using bathrooms and changing facilities that align with their gender identity. Michigan's House passed a bill barring transgender students in K-12 and higher education from accessing bathrooms matching their gender identity, requiring use of facilities based on sex assigned at birth; however, the Democratic-controlled Senate is unlikely to approve the legislation. In Texas, Senate Bill 8 prohibits transgender people from using multiple-occupancy bathrooms and changing rooms that correspond to their gender identity in schools and government buildings, mandates housing inmates by biological sex, and bars transgender women from women's domestic violence shelters except under specific conditions; violations carry significant fines. Supporters in both states argue these measures protect privacy and safety, particularly for women and girls, while opponents, including LGBTQ+ advocates and the ACLU, contend the bills violate civil rights, foster discrimination, and pose safety risks. Both bills reflect ongoing nationwide conservative efforts to regulate bathroom access based on biological sex, despite questions about enforcement and legal challenges. These legislative moves occur amidst broader debates on gender identity rights and civil liberties in the U.S.