SB17 Threatens Texans With License to Discriminate—and It’s Happening Now

By Barrett White

SB17 would provide any professional licensed by the state of Texas a license to discriminate based on “sincerely held religious beliefs.”

The religious exemption bill is being called the latest aggression against LGBTQ Texans—as well as other individuals not protected at the federal level, such as single parents or people who practice a religion that differs from that of the service provider.

Senate Bill 17 would prohibit the state’s occupational licensing boards from interfering with free speech “regarding a sincerely held religious belief” or membership in a religious organization. It would also give anyone licensed by the state, including lawyers and therapists, legal cover in the event that their license is threatened because of actions they took based on their faith.

This is more than a baker refusing to bake a wedding cake. According to the Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), “[Senate Bill 17] could make it extremely difficult for religious minorities and LGBTQ residents of rural or remote parts of Texas to receive vital healthcare services, jeopardizing their physical and mental health.”

While an exemption to the law states that, in the case of life or death, services must be provided, who ultimately makes that call? “Say a transgender man goes to the doctor and discovers he has ovarian cancer,” TENT explains. “But the doctor refuses to treat him because it’s only stage two and not imminently deadly, but the patient isn’t able to find care until his cancer is stage four and it’s too late?”

Cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio all have non-discrimination ordinances, but unfortunately for LGBTQ residents of those cities, a religious exemption law at the state level would supersede a city ordinance, effectively wiping out previously established protections.

Following Dan Patrick’s embarrassing defeat in 2017 with the infamous “Bathroom Bill,” this appears to be Texas Republicans’ newest affront on the LGBTQ community. And while the bill was written with Christians in mind, its language can ultimately be weaponized against all religions, opening the door for discrimination across the board.  

At this time, SB17 is expected to hit the Senate floor on Monday, April 1, or Wednesday, April 3.

So far, companies like Apple, Dell, PepsiCo, Amazon, Facebook, HP, and PayPal, as well as several chambers of commerce and visitors bureaus from around the state have signed a letter decrying the attack on the LGBTQ community, citing that a decision in favor of SB17 would severely damage the Texas economy.

Please call your state senators to voice your concern. This bill hurts Texans, makes discrimination legal, and will endanger lives.

If you’re unsure who your senator is, you can find them here.