AUSTIN, TX — Today, over 15 million Texas women and girls will see crucial new protections for their private, single-sex spaces go into effect, as the Texas Women’s Privacy Act (SB 8) officially becomes state law. The measure — heavily prioritized by Governor Greg Abbott — establishes clear, enforceable standards ensuring that women’s restrooms, locker rooms, prisons, domestic violence shelters, and other sensitive spaces remain female only: restoring trust, privacy and common-sense.

This law represents the final piece of Independent Women’s Stand With Women legislative framework in Texas protecting fairness, dignity, and equal opportunity for women under state law. 

SB 8 builds on two key protections Governor Abbott has already signed into law: 

  • Senate Bill 15, Save Women’s Sports Act: Protects the integrity of women’s sports by prohibiting biological men from competing in women’s sports at Texas colleges and universities (signed into law on August 4, 2023)
  • House Bill 229: Legally defines the terms “woman” and “man” throughout state code (signed into law on June 20, 2025)

On the implementation of the Texas Women’s Privacy Act, Amie Ichikawa, Independent Women’s Voice ambassador, said:

“December 4th is a big day for women and girls in Texas, thanks to Senator Mayes Middleton’s dedication to ensuring women’s spaces are for women. Texas is taking the legislative lead in reality based laws, because we cannot survive as a nation if everything is based on temporary feelings. Women in prison’s survival is dependent on laws like the Texas Women’s Privacy Act. Incarcerated women, nationwide, are being forcibly housed with men who identify as women, many of whom are sex offenders with histories of violence against women. Texas saw the female human rights crisis in that and they solved it. Thank you Governor Greg Abbott for showing America how it’s done!”

Payton McNabb, sports ambassador for Independent Women’s Voice, speaking from her own personal experiences of dealing with privacy and safety issues, said:

“Today, Texas sends a message the rest of the country needs to hear: women’s privacy and safety are not optional. As someone who has been deeply affected by allowing males in female spaces, I am grateful that Texas is drawing a clear boundary. The Texas Women’s Privacy Act restores what should have never been taken from us—private, female-only spaces where girls can feel safe, and not afraid.”

LEFT: Payton McNabb and Amie Ichikawa advocating for HB 229 during the Texas Legislative Day of Action with Rep. Ellen Troxclair, RIGHT: Independent Women’s Network Austin Chapter Leader Michelle Evans, and the team at Texas Values 

Independent Women ambassadors Payton McNabb and Amie Ichikawa have been central voices in advocating for SB 8 and additional legislation in Texas that will protect women, sharing firsthand experiences of the harm caused when gender ideology “inclusiveness” overrides women’s safety. Both have testified multiple times in Texas and across the country, sharing personal accounts of harm caused when men self-identify into women-only spaces.

Earlier this year, Amie Ichikawa, Payton McNabb, and Independent Women testified in favor of HB 229, which drove bipartisan support for the bill in the Texas House. Ichikawa and McNabb also traveled to the Texas Capitol for a Legislative Day of Action, including meetings, press conferences, and advocacy, calling on Texas to define “woman” and “man” throughout state law by passing HB 229.

Earlier this year, Texas became one of 18 other states who have enacted both women’s sports protections and legally define “woman” and “man” throughout state code.

See more of Independent Women’s advocacy in Texas below:

For media inquiries or to book Payton McNabb and/or Amie Ichikawa, please email [email protected].

For media inquiries, please email [email protected].

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