Texas Lawmaker Unveils HB2-Style Bill on Same Day NCAA Canceled Games in North Carolina

Republican Matt Shaheen’s Proposal Would Undo Nondiscrimination Protections for LGBT People, Veterans, Women

On the same day that the NCAA pulled future championships out of North Carolina in response to the anti-LGBT House Bill 2, a Texas Republican lawmaker unveiled a similar measure he plans to introduce later this year. 

State Rep. Matt Shaheen says he drafted his bill because, “The government should not be stepping in to be telling people where to go to the restroom.” 

Ironically, that’s precisely what Shaheen is aiming to do — by forcing transgender people to use restrooms based on the sex they were assigned at birth. 

However, just like HB2, Shaheen’s bill would go further than that — by undoing local LGBT nondiscrimination protections in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Plano and San Antonio. 

NBCDFW.com reports that Shaheen shared a draft of the bill with the station on Monday. The Texas Legislature doesn’t convene until January, but the early filing period for legislation begins in November. 

Shaheen’s bill states that local governments “may not adopt or enforce an order, ordinance, or other measure to protect a class of persons from discrimination,” if those people are not otherwise protected from discrimination by state law, NBCDFW.com reports. 

It’s worth noting that in addition to sexual orientation and gender identity, Shaheen’s bill would undo nondiscrimination protections based on other characteristics — including sex and veteran’s status — in several cities, since those aren’t covered by state law. 

Then again, perhaps that’s Shaheen’s goal. When his home city of Plano passed a nondiscrimination ordinance in 2014, Shaheen told City Council members that instead of adding sexual orientation and gender identity to nondiscrimination laws, they should consider removing blacks and women.

“Do we really think the citizens of Plano are going to discriminate against women or minorities or African-Americans? I don’t think so,” Shaheen said (video below). “I would ask you to consider that — not adding classes, but taking away classes.”

Back in April, Shaheen vowed he would “die politically” if that’s what it took to stop trans people from using restrooms based on their gender identity. He also offered to help Target pack up and move out of Texas after the retailer announced its trans-inclusive restroom policy. 

Apparently, in addition to Target, Shaheen is willing to sacrifice the 2018 NCAA Men’s Final Four, which is slated for San Antonio and expected to bring in $75 million.

In case you’re wondering, Shaheen does have a Democratic opponent in November, Gnanse Nelson, but she faces a steep uphill climb in the solidly Republican district. 

 

Image via Matt Shaheen on Facebook