FTA: “The problem is, when you create a shield, a defense, that shield can be used as a weapon,” Menendez said on the Senate floor in retort to Perry’s defense. “The problem is that while an individual may be ‘protected’ for refusing service to a same-sex couple or a transgendered woman, no one is protecting the people who are impacted directly by this bill.”

The culture war brewing in the Texas capital comes after a bruising “bathroom bill” battle two years ago over a proposed law that would have restricted transgender Texans’ access to public facilities. The measure failed, but the LGBTQ community feels it’s being targeted again this year.