Texas Governor splashes out on special legislative session to pass anti-trans law
The Governor of Texas has announced plans for a special legislative session he will use to pass an anti-trans bathroom law.
The Texas Legislature, which usually only meets once every two years, recently closed its 2017 session without agreeing an anti-transgender ‘bathroom’ law, which had been a ‘priority’ for Republicans in the state.
Several anti-trans bills had been submitted, but the leadership of the Texas House and Senate had been unable to agree on a final version to pass into law.
In response to the failure, the state’s Governor has this week vowed to hold a special legislative session on the issue – an extremely costly procedure which is intended to only be used for urgent issues and emergency legislation.
Governor Greg Abbott announced a special session yesterday at the Texas State Capitol.
The Governor said: “A special session was entirely avoidable, and there was plenty of time for the legislature to forge compromises to avoid the time and taxpayer expense of a special session.
“As Governor, if I am going to call a special session, I intend to make it count.”
This agenda includes passing a so-called anti-trans “bathroom bill” which openly targets and discriminates against transgender Texans for living their lives according to their gender identity.
The so-called “bathroom bill” has already received negative attention as some of the nation’s top business CEOs, including Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook, have denounced any sort of discriminatory, anti-trans legislation.
Sarah Kate Ellis, President and CEO of GLAAD, said: “Governor Greg Abbott is proving everything is bigger in Texas including prioritizing discrimination.
“If the governor moves forward with this harmful legislation against trans students, LGBTQ people, businesses, and fair-minded Texans will respond in Texas style – Big.
“Trans Texans have experienced harassment and threats because of this last session and if any anti-trans bills get signed into law, then Governor Abbott’s legacy will be turning Texas into a state known for harming some its most marginalized people.”
The Governor previously said an anti-trans bathroom bill was a “priority”.
