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| Jonathan Saenz, attorney and president of the anti-LGBTQ organization Texas Values (pictured) spoke for an hour and a half. In contrast, local citizens speaking against the ban were led away by police officers if they exceeded the normal three-minute limit. |
Odessa Texas City Council passed an amendment Tuesday expanding a city ordinance banning transgender people from city-owned or leased restrooms.
The ban passed 5-2 Tuesday despite no evidence it was needed puts a $10,000 bounty on anyone suspected of being transgender.
Unlike the state, which tried unsuccessfully to ban trans people from public accommodations, the city is not exempt from being sued exposing it to massive legal liability.
Citizens objected vigorously during the council meeting, identifying the ban as fear-mongering led by extreme right-wing groups outside of Odessa.
Questions were also raised about the involvement of the Texas Values organization in the local ordinance. Eric Rogers, a concerned citizen, asked, “That’s interesting—he filled out a card, but we got three minutes while he spoke for what, an hour and a half? I’d love to know where he got that card.”
Jonathan Saenz, attorney and president of extreme right Texas Values organization, sidestepped questions on camera when asked by a reporter from News 7 if he was invited to speak by city council members and could not identify any person or organizations that asked him to intervene.
Council member Chris Hanie insisted he introduced the ordinance to protect the safety of his daughters and grandchildren, according to the Texas Tribune.
“There's never been fear. I don't care who you are, and what you do in the privacy of your home is your business, but I don't need to see it in public,” Hanie said.
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