Breaking! Law to Protect Women in their Private Spaces Goes into Effect Today
Austin, TX – December 4, 2025: The Texas Women’s Privacy Act, SB 8, went into effect today, December 4. Texas finally has a law that gives clear guidelines to protect women in their private spaces like locker rooms, showers, bathrooms, domestic violence shelters, and prisons. The Texas Women’s Privacy Act, authored by Senator Mayes Middleton, passed in September during the 2nd Special Session with bipartisan support. Texas is the 20th state in the nation to have a law that protects the privacy of women and girls.
Mary Elizabeth Castle, Director of Government Relations for Texas Values said:
“The message is clear: You don’t mess with Texas women in their private spaces! This week, Texas will make women’s history. Our state can finally enforce a law that will make sure women and girls will not be forced to share their lockers rooms, showers, and private spaces with biological men. We expect government entities like the 1,200 school districts in Texas and public universities to fully comply with the law and make certain that no existing policies conflict with the Texas Women’s Privacy Act.”
Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said:
“In 2017, I was the first elected official in the country to prioritize the passage of a Women’s Privacy Act (the “Bathroom Bill” as some called it) to protect women and young girls from men entering women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers,” said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. “The bill passed the Senate, but unfortunately, it died in the House that session. I kept fighting, vowing to never bend the knee to the woke rage mob, because I knew this was the right policy for Texas. This past special session in September, the Women’s Privacy Act finally passed both the Texas Senate and House and was signed into law. As of today, the Women’s Privacy Act is finally in effect in Texas, protecting women and girls across our state! I thank Jonathan and Texas Values for standing with me from the very beginning and for helping me pass this important legislation into law. It wouldn’t have happened without the steadfast support of Texas Values.”
Riley Gaines, 12x NCAA Champion & Save Women’s Sports Leader said:
“The Texas Women’s Privacy Act is a decisive victory for women and girls. It reaffirms a basic truth; that privacy, dignity, and safety matter. Texans made it clear that sex-specific spaces exist for a reason, and today the state took an important step to preserve those protections. Thank you, Texas Values, the legislature, and Governor Abbott!”
Brooke Slusser, NCAA Athlete from Texas & Women’s Privacy Leader said:
“I’m a former Texas college athlete, and I was forced to have a male athlete change in my locker room and share a hotel room with me on trips, without my prior knowledge or approval. This male athlete deliberately disguised his male appearance and anatomy, but some school employees knew he was, but they hid that from me. I am proud of Texas for taking a stand against these issues with this new women’s privacy law.”
Chelsey Youman, Senior Counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom said:
“This is a significant day for every woman and young girl across the state. Now, men are no longer allowed to invade girls’ most intimate spaces, compromising their privacy and safety. Instead, this law reflects dignity and resect for everyone in Texas.”
Claire Frugia is a female staffer at the Texas Capitol who was approached by a male in the bathroom at the Texas Capitol. This is what she has to say about the Texas Women’s Privacy Act:
“Women should not pay the price of advancing a mental illness. This emotional manipulation has gotten out of hand, and I am so thankful that the Texas Women’s Privacy Act was passed to protect the women of Texas! I have experienced the fright of hearing a male’s voice compliment me where I least expected it, and where I was extremely vulnerable. This law will make enormous impact on protecting REAL women!”
*The Texas Capitol eventually created a policy that required persons to use restrooms that correspond with their biological sex. https://tspb.texas.gov/spb/policies/doc/Public_Restroom_Policy.pdf
Texas Values will be hosting a press conference today, December 4 at 11 a.m., at Houston City Hall in order to commemorate the Texas Women’s Privacy Act going into effect. The press conference will be near the reflection pool outside of Houston City Hall. In 2015, Texas Values, along with many pastors and grassroots members, helped with the landside defeat of the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (bathroom ordinance) that would have forced Houston businesses to allow men in women’s restrooms. Opposition to the ordinance received strong support from influential figures in Houston like Houston Astros baseball player Lance Berkman.
The victory over the Texas Women’s Privacy Act comes after years long attempts, including the Privacy Act of 2017. Since 2017, many key leaders have become public voices for protecting their private spaces, including Texas athlete Brooke Slusser who was forced to share a locker room, hotel room, and student housing with a male athlete hiding his identity from Brooke and her teammates. Recently, Brooke has shared more of the emotional harm that was caused from sharing many private spaces in a state of undress in the presence of a man hiding his identity. Before the Texas Women’s Privacy Act was passed, a number of public schools in Texas, including Round Rock High School, experienced incidents where boys were allowed to enter girls’ locker rooms and undress.
Texas Values has also been instrumental in passing laws to protect women and girls’ sports in 2021 and 2023. Additionally, Texas Values helped lead efforts on HB 229 by Representative Ellen Troxclair, the Women’s Bill of Rights, which defines “male” and “female” in state law.
Many state and national organizations were supportive of the Texas Women’s Privacy Act including: AFA Action, American Principles Project, Concerned Women for America of Texas, Patriot Mobile, Texas Family Project, Texas Eagle Forum, Moms for America Action, Independent Women’s Voice, Citizens Defending Freedom, Alliance Defending Freedom Action, and ICONS (Independent Council on Women’s Sports).
Texas Values has also composed a guidance letter for government entities to assist in the compliance and understanding of the Texas Women’s Privacy Act. You can find a copy of that letter here. To learn more about the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, please visit https://protectwomensprivacytexas.com/.
Also, going into effect today is the Women and Child Protection Act, HB 7, which is a pro-life law that seeks to stop the spread of lethal chemical abortion pills in the state of Texas. Texas Values supported legislation during the regular and special sessions that would address the issue of out of state and international sources mailing women dangerous abortion pills. You can find pro-life resources at https://txvalues.org/issues/love-them-both-texas/.
Texas Values law & policy team is available for comment. Contact Ashley to schedule an interview at media@txvalues.org or 737-314-2450 (m).
###
About Texas Values
Texas Values is the largest statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org.