Wyoming Governor Signs Bill Banning Transgender Access to Public Bathrooms

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has signed House Bill 72 into law, which permits individuals to sue government entities if they encounter a transgender person in designated single-sex restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters. The legislation, effective July 1, requires public facilities to reserve these spaces exclusively for males or females based on biological sex. Lead sponsor Rep. Martha Lawley emphasized the bill's intention to ensure women's privacy and safety, while the ACLU of Wyoming criticized it as a harmful measure against transgender rights. The bill does not apply to K-12 schools but does affect higher education institutions and state prisons. Similar legislative efforts are underway in Texas, where a proposed bill aims to enforce strict bathroom use regulations based on biological sex and impose penalties for violations. These developments reflect a broader national trend toward legislation targeting transgender individuals' access to public facilities.