Louisiana’s proposed bill, which has been titled the Women’s Safety Protection Act, would prevent transgender individuals from using restrooms, locker rooms, and sleeping quarters that align with their gender identity in public schools, jails, and domestic violence shelters. Sponsored by GOP Rep. Roger Wilder III, the bill defines female and male based on biological reproductive systems rather than gender identity. Proponents argue that the measure is necessary to protect cisgender women and girls from sexual assault and harassment, while opponents believe it will further marginalize and discriminate against transgender individuals. LGBTQ+ advocates are concerned that forcing transgender people to use facilities that do not correspond with their gender identity puts them at risk of bullying, intimidation, and sexual assault.
The bill passed out of a bipartisan committee without objection and is set to be debated on the GOP-dominated House floor. If approved by the lower chamber, it will move on to the Senate for consideration. Similar to other recently passed “bathroom bills” in GOP-controlled states, LGBTQ+ advocates view Louisiana’s bill as one of the most expansive and restrictive in the country. The proposed legislation would require public schools to designate restrooms and changing rooms for exclusive use based on gender, as well as apply similar rules to state prisons, juvenile detention centers, and state-managed domestic violence shelters. This focus on biological differences between males and females is intended to prioritize women’s privacy and safety, according to supporters of the bill.
Critics of the Women’s Safety Protection Act argue that in the process of protecting women, transgender women are being left vulnerable. They contend that the bill denies the humanity and dignity of Louisiana’s nonbinary and transgender population, potentially subjecting them to increased harassment and discrimination. Testimony against the bill included statements from transgender individuals like Britain Forsyth, who expressed fear for the safety and well-being of trans kids who may be adversely affected by the legislation. The national and local debate over bills targeting transgender individuals exemplifies a broader trend of increasing hostility and discrimination against trans people in statehouses across the country.
Louisiana’s proposed bill is part of a larger wave of legislation targeting transgender rights, with at least 155 bills introduced nationwide this year. LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations like the Human Rights Campaign have been monitoring this trend and raising awareness about the potential harm these bills could cause. Last year, Louisiana’s GOP-controlled Legislature passed several anti-LGBTQ+ measures that were vetoed by then-Gov. John Bel Edwards. However, with the new Republican Gov. Jeff Landry in office, lawmakers are once again considering bills that could adversely affect the LGBTQ+ community. This includes a “Don’t Say Gay” bill that restricts discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in schools, as well as a measure requiring teachers to use students’ assigned pronouns and names at birth. The ongoing debate highlights the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and the importance of advocacy efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
