Mississippi House Votes to Restrict Transgender Bathroom Access in Public Buildings

In a controversial move, the Mississippi's Republican-controlled House approved a measure on Wednesday April 10th, to limit transgender people's access to bathrooms and locker rooms in public buildings, including university dormitories. The bill, now awaiting approval from the Republican-led Senate, asserts that individuals are either male or female "as observed or clinically verified at birth" and must utilize the corresponding facilities. It also mandates public buildings to designate restrooms or changing areas for males only or females only, or single-person spaces available for use by any gender.

The measure faced opposition from Democrats who accused conservatives of attempting to marginalize transgender individuals for political gain. Democrat Rep. Willie Bailey critiqued the move, stating, "They used to run on race, colors, and all of that. Then they started running against people on abortion. Now they’ve got to have an issue on transgender — it’s just silly."

National Trend

Similar bills are being considered in various state legislatures across the U.S. as Republicans seek to limit transgender people's access to public facilities and sports activities. Republican Rep. Joey Hood, a prominent supporter of the bill, emphasized that its goal is to ensure individuals use facilities corresponding to their birth sex. He reiterated, "We’re going to make sure boys go to boys’ bathrooms, girls go to girls’ bathrooms," during the debate.

The bill includes provisions allowing legal action against individuals using facilities not matching their sex at birth. Exceptions are outlined for emergency medical and cleaning personnel, individuals requiring assistance, and children under 12, who are permitted to use any public restroom or locker room regardless of gender.

Comparisons and Existing Laws

Democratic Rep. Zakiya Summers drew parallels between limiting transgender people's access to facilities and the restrictions faced by Black individuals during the Jim Crow era. At least 11 states have enacted laws preventing transgender girls and women from using female-designated facilities in public schools and government buildings.

The Mississippi House and Senate have passed differing versions of a "Mississippi Women's Bill of Rights" that defines woman, man, mother, father, female, male and sex in a manner aligning with the idea of sex being determined at birth. Agreement on a unified version by both chambers is necessary for the bill to proceed to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves.

In a related development, the House previously endorsed a measure in March that would have allowed incarcerated individuals to sue correctional facilities if they encountered inmates of a different sex in restrooms or changing areas, including transgender individuals. However, the bill did not advance beyond a Senate committee.