These Texans Are Up Against Ignorant Lawmakers

Before nine members of the Texas Senate's State Affairs committee heard more than 10 hours of testimony -- much of it against the law -- activists rallied outside the capitol on Friday.

Ashley Smith, a trans woman, got applause for calling out a myth being pushed by clueless lawmakers.

"The bill can do nothing to reduce the number of safety problems in public restrooms caused by transgender people," she said, "because you can't go lower than zero."

The committee would later vote 8-1 to advance the law to the full Senate, where it could be voted on as soon as Monday. Hundreds of people had testified against their decision.

Angie Castro, a mother with a trans child, said "my job as a mother is to keep my baby safe. How can I do that when the most powerful in this state are encouraging hate and discrimination?" Castro said "Passing any law to single out my child will do nothing more than to slap a target on my daughter's back, placing her directly in harm's way, encouraging bullying, encouraging discrimination."

Families say lawmakers are woefully ill informed about what it means to be transgender.

"Instead of proposing a law based on ignorance, get to know a transgender person, get to know a family with a transgender child," said Frank Gonzales, a father whose daughter is transgender. "Stop trying to put my precious child in harm's way. Stop trying to force my innocent little girl into the men's restroom. And stop acting like separate is equal."

The law would make it illegal for any transgender person to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity whenever they're in a state building or public school. It also bans schools from updating their anti-discrimination statement to include transgender kids. The governor ordered a special session to add time for considering the law, and if the Texas Senate gives its approveal, then it would need to be considered by the House.

Watch highlights from the rally recorded by Equality Texas: