Advocates, transgender community worried about Texas ‘Bathroom Bill’

The Texas state legislature conducted its first hearing on Senate Bill 6, also known as the “Bathroom Bill” on Tuesday.

The bill would force transgender people to use the bathroom that corresponds with the sex on their birth certificate.

Chyna Fierro is a transgender woman, who said she’s terrified that the bill will pass.

“I’m worried about my safety. I’m worried about men exploiting us,” Fierro said. “I’m pretty sure, women wouldn’t be comfortable with a trans-man using their restroom.”

Fierro said she’s never had an issue using the women’s restroom.

“I live as a female. I want to go to the restroom that I feel comfortable at. I’ve never had problems using any public restrooms, women’s restrooms,” Fierro said, “I know if I start using the opposite sex bathroom, I definitely will.”

Fierro said she knew she was transgender when she was 7, but didn’t start transitioning until she was 19.

“When I first started my transition, I didn’t use public restrooms for like the first two or three years. I was too embarrassed,” Fierro said. “I didn’t know what restroom to use.”

If the bill were to pass she said she’s worried she would have to go back to that uncertainty.

“This is going to take us a step backwards and it shouldn’t be like that. it’s ridiculous and things are not black and white anymore,” Fierro said. “It just means I need to fight harder and have more of a voice.”

Boundless Without Borders is a local group that focuses on fighting for marginalized communities. They urged their members to call senators on the state affairs committee and tell them they’re against SB 6.

“We’re trying to encourage the general public to find these simple ways of activism, to find these simple ways of engaging,” organizer Xochitl Nicholson said. “You can take 10 minutes in the middle of your day to call these senators and make your voice heard.”

Over 400 people signed up to give their public testimonials during the hearing in Austin. Fierro said she has a lot of friends there, and wishes she could’ve attended.

“I would rather put myself out there, and give a chance to the younger generation of trans-people to be more free and be more ok with themselves,” Fierro said.