just enough light

“We know it’s going to be a tough fight. The forces of fear and misinformation will pull out all the stops, both in Texas and nationally. But we know we’re on the right side of the issue, and we’re on the right side of history.”

These were Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s words a few weeks ago regarding the “bathroom wars” the debate about the use of school and public bathrooms by those who identify as transgender. The issue has moved from the headlines to the legislative agenda. The issue seemed to disappear for a while. It was not mentioned in the governor’s State of the State address. But here it comes again.

Oh, the power of one’s perspective. The forces of fear and misinformation are indeed at work, but not as Mr. Patrick describes. Political, cultural, and religious history reveal that history is on the side of inclusivity, justice, and compassion, not Mr. Patrick’s divisive values and goals.

Those who identify as transgender or have family members who identify in that way already face discrimination, harassment, emotional and sometimes physical suffering that comes with being transgender in this society. This is a result of misinformation, or lack of information. Now they have to deal with the political bias of a zealous lieutenant governor who clearly has done little reading, studying or talking with those who will be most affected by his agenda.

As was true in North Carolina, this is a solution in search of a problem. In fact, it is a solution that will cause far more problems than the one it supposedly is trying to fix.

Mr. Patrick and those in the state house who are equally zealous to show how hard they are working to protect their constituents need to be clear about their focus. Keeping men out of girls’ bathrooms, the fearful scenario always used, is not a transgender problem. That’s a heterosexual predator problem. Call the police!

If there is a problem with providing transgender students or other students with a safe place for going to the bathroom, changing clothes, or showering after workouts, those are workable situations that do not require discriminatory or shaming legislation. Such solutions will require some thought, conversations with students, teachers, and school boards, and some planning. All of these are well within the capabilities of schools and school boards, and even some legislators.

Of course, the big impact of such unwise legislation will be economic. As North Carolina has experienced, Texas will suffer significant loss of revenue. If this legislation passes, it will eventually be repealed for the economic reasons, not the human rights reasons. Of course, an additional consequence to passing this legislation is that Texans will get the snickers, eye rolls, and head shaking from the rest of the country that until now have been reserved for North Carolina.

Mr. Patrick, you are not on the right side of the issue or the right side of history. You are on the side of fear, of closing ranks, of tightening restrictions on those you do not understand. The arc of history bends in the direction of justice, compassion, and inclusion.