Texas Senate Passes Controversial Bill Defining Gender by Biology

May 28, 2025 – In a late-night session, the Texas Senate passed House Bill 229 on a 20-11 party-line vote, advancing legislation that legally defines “man” and “woman” based strictly on reproductive anatomy. The bill had already cleared the House and now heads to Governor Greg Abbott’s desk for final approval.

House Bill 229, dubbed the “Women’s Bill of Rights,” defines a woman as an individual whose reproductive system is developed to produce ova and a man as someone whose reproductive system is developed to fertilize ova. These definitions would be mandated across all Texas state statutes, potentially affecting areas ranging from official identification to access to public facilities.

Authored by Rep. Ellen Troxclair and carried in the Senate by Sen. Mayes Middleton, the bill’s supporters say it aims to protect single-sex spaces—such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and prisons—and ensure fairness in athletic competitions. Proponents argue it prevents abuse by individuals they claim exploit gender identity laws.

“Your birth sex is your birth sex, period,” Middleton said.

However, critics warn the bill could have sweeping negative impacts on transgender and intersex individuals, potentially forcing them to be legally recognized only by the sex assigned at birth, regardless of gender identity or medical transition status. Civil rights groups have vowed to challenge the law if enacted.