Texas Senate Bill 8 was recently signed into law, which requires school districts and colleges to designate all locker rooms, changing rooms, showers and restrooms to be used by biological gender.

This affects people who are part of the LGBTQ community, specifically transgender people. The term Transgender is used for those whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Transgender people may also transition mentally, socially and physically to align with their identity. 

This law ensures that students will use a restroom that corresponds to their biological sex by imposing financial penalties of up to $125,000 on institutions that violate this law.

As Dallas College is obligated to comply with the law there are unisex/universal restrooms or family restrooms that can be used regardless of sex. These restrooms are located in buildings A, C, K, N and F.

If a child is nine years old or under they may enter an opposite-sex faculty when accompanied by their parent or caregiver. A child who is above the age of 10 must use the restroom that corresponds to their biological sex at birth or a unisex/family restroom.

The only expectation for someone of the opposite sex to enter a restroom that is not biological to their gender would be for custodial inspection purposes, to render medical or other emergency assistance, law enforcement purpose or to render assistance necessary to prevent a serious threat to safety.