SAN ANTONIO – Some local small business owners, along with hundreds of others from across the state, are asking legislators not to consider an LGBT bathroom law.
Two hundred business owners joined forces and signed a letter opposing any legislation that would discriminate against LGBT Texans and visitors to the Lone Star State.
The letter was released Tuesday morning at an Equality Texas news conference. It was in response to the Women’s Privacy Act, which was proposed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick.
Business owners said any law similar to North Carolina’s House Bill 2, which requires people to use the restroom that corresponds with the gender of their birth, would negatively impact the Texas economy.
“I don't want to be anywhere where I’m not going to feel like I can be who I really am. I don't want to go anywhere with my girlfriend, as well, or I wouldn't want to go anywhere with my mother, where we felt that we're be(ing) discriminated against as queer women, as women of color,” said Rebel Mariposa, owner of La Botanica.
Those who spoke Tuesday said they fear that tourism will suffer ahead of the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio in 2018.
KSAT 12 reached out to several people and groups who support the lieutenant governor’s stance. We have not heard back from them.