The College Fix

Texas university leaders are keeping mum about a recently introduced bill that would, if approved, require people to use public restrooms that match their biological sex, regardless of their preferred gender.

The goal of the bill — the Women’s Privacy Act — is to protect the privacy rights of women and girls who do not wish to share public restrooms with biological men, according to those who proposed and support it.

But some contend it might violate anti-discrimination laws and drive away business, college sports and tourism opportunities in Texas.

When a similar law was passed in North Carolina last year, universities became a major battle ground over the issue, with students protesting and college presidents assuring constituents they would do everything in their power to respect preferred genders.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association also removed all 2016-17 national championship events out of North Carolina over the law.

Phillip Jones, president of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau, told Fox News something similar could happen to the Lone Star state if the bill is passed.

“This is not speculation. This is facts, based on what we’ve seen first-hand,” Jones said.

Both the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M campus spokespersons declined to comment on the controversial legislation to The College Fix.

Similarly, Inside Higher Ed reports it was unable to collect reactions to the bill from campus leaders at University of Texas, Texas A&M, the University of North Texas, Texas Tech, Texas State University and University of Houston.

Greg Fenves, president of UT Austin, gave the The Chronicle of Higher Education and Inside Higher Ed a statement on the issue, however.

“Preventing sexual assault is something we take very seriously,” Fenves told The Chronicle of Higher Education. “While we track reports of alleged assaults, to our knowledge we have never received a report corresponding to this being a problem in our bathrooms.”

He added he would speak to lawmakers about the law’s potential impact on employees and student recruiting, and a campus spokeswoman voiced concern the act might violate federal nondiscrimination laws, the Chronicle reports.

In his statement to Inside Higher Ed, Fenves’ tone implies the act’s impact might be negative: “The University of Texas at Austin is an inclusive campus that promotes equity and supports community members from all backgrounds. Much like the Texas businesses community, UT hosts conferences, classes, sporting events, concerts and public programs throughout the year. We also actively recruit faculty, staff and students from around the state and nation. We are available to speak with lawmakers about the impact new laws could have on those efforts.”

But Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has said of the bill that it’s the “right thing to do” and a stand for “common sense.”

Republican state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, who sponsored the bill, said it would allow for anyone to raise complaints if they see something in public restrooms that makes them uncomfortable. She added the bill was written “not to start a controversy, but to end one.”

But the legislation has drawn the ire of LGBTQ-rights groups and others.

“I would hope that most people would oppose this proposed legislation because it’s morally wrong,” Chuck Smith, CEO of Equality Texas, has said.

And Rebecca Robertson, policy director for the ACLU, called it “unnecessary, discriminatory and inconsistent with the constitutional value of equal protection for all.”

MORE: Transgender bathroom backlash ranges from legislation to ballot initiative

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