The Senate Judiciary Commitee voted Wednesday to have interim hearings on Sen. Linda Collins-Smith bathroom bill, an effort to prohibit transgender people from using facilities that match their identity.

It’s mean stuff and the intervention of Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson and his uncle, Gov. Asa Hutchinson, kept it out of the statute books in 2017. But the enemies of transgender people haven’t quit fighting, with a recent victory in Texas to their credit. They are red hot to continue pursuit of a non-existent problem in Arkansas and will at least have some hearings before the next regular legislative session. (In theory, only budget matters may be discussed in 2018.) If we’re lucky, a Republican challenger will defeat Collins-Smith in the 2018 primary.

Advertisement

I wish the Senate Judiciary Committee had attended the Lady Parts Justice League show at Vino’s recently. It was mostly about abortion rights, but the acts included a trans male comedian — buff and bearded — who talked about bathroom matters in detailed ways that might have opened a few eyes as well as made a few shift uncomfortably in their seats. I can imagine the look on Linda Collins-Smith face if this fellow were made, by force of Arkansas law, to use HER restroom.

UPDATE: Somehow I’d missed this. That time a transwoman introduced herself to Linda Collins-Smith in a Capitol restroom. See, a woman met a man (by Collins-Smith’s definition) in the ladies room and survived. Actually, of course, a woman met a woman.

Advertisement

Be a part of something bigger

As a reader of the Arkansas Times, you know we’re dedicated to bringing you tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, we've been fighting the good fight in Little Rock and beyond – with your support, we can do even more. By becoming a subscriber or donating as little as $1 to our efforts, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers to expand our coverage and continue to bring important stories to light. With over 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts, it's clear that our readers value our great journalism. Join us in the fight for truth.

Previous article State announces probation, end of transportation for facility where child died Next article From Rose City to Rome: The pope meets the great Jerry Jones