In a late-night vote, the Texas Senate passed House Bill 229, which mandates that all state documents reflect a person’s sex assigned at birth. The 20–11 vote fell along party lines, and the bill, already approved by the House, now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. The legislation defines a woman as someone with reproductive organs capable of producing ova, and a man as someone with organs to fertilize them.
Called the “Women’s Bill of Rights,” the law, authored by Rep. Ellen Troxclair and carried by Sen. Mayes Middleton, aims to establish fixed definitions across state law. Supporters argue it protects single-sex spaces and prevents abuse of transgender identity claims. Middleton called the bill “common sense,” saying, “Your birth sex is your birth sex, period.”
Critics argue it’s discriminatory and harmful to trans and intersex individuals. Sen. José Menéndez called it “state-sponsored discrimination.” Opponents fear the bill could invalidate gender markers on IDs, school records, or legal documents.
Although it carries no direct penalties, the law’s broad language could trigger significant changes throughout state policy. Trans Texans like Heather Clark’s wife fear increased daily discrimination as identity documents are forced to revert to original sex designations.
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