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The Texas House of Representatives has approved a bill that would deny transgender athletes from taking part in school sports based on their gender identity.
The bill, title HB 25, was passed in the Texas House by a vote of 76-54 after more than ten hours of emotional debate.
It largely focuses on preventing trans women and girls from participate in women’s sports at schools.
The move puts Texas on track to becoming the state with the largest LGTBQ+ community in the nation to pass such a law.
The new law still needs final approval from the Texas Senate, which has previously approved similar legislation.
Passage there is considered in favor of Republicans in the state, who have supported the bill.
Eight states, all backed by Republican legislatures, have brought legislation targeting transgender athletes into effect, while South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed an executive order similar to those laws in March this year.
However, the Texas bill, House Bill 25, will likely be seen as a crucial blow for local Democrats, given that Texas is home to the second-largest LGBTQ population in the country.