A new Tennessee law forces businesses to post a 'policy' sign if they allow transgender people to use bathrooms matching their gender identity

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A new Tennessee law forces businesses to post a 'policy' sign if they allow transgender people to use bathrooms matching their gender identity
Sara D. Davis/Getty Images

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed legislation into law Monday that requires businesses to publicly post "policy" signs showing that they allow transgender people to access bathrooms that match their genders.

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The new law requires any "building or facility open to the general public" that allows transgender people to use the bathroom to post signage starting in July.

The red signs will say "NOTICE," as well as the following in bolded black-on-white text: "This facility maintains a policy of allowing the use of restrooms by either biological sex, regardless of the designation on the restroom."

LGBTQ advocates have called the law discriminatory, saying it shames businesses that allow transgender people to use their restrooms.

Alphonso David told LGBTQ Nation that the law will "cause real harm to transgender Tennesseans."

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Lee approved the new law just days after signing a separate bill that prohibits transgender students and school staff members from using bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.

The laws are the latest in a series of legislation targeting transgender people in various states nationwide. There are over 100 anti-trans bills actively passing through state legislatures across the country, that range from medical bans to bathroom restrictions.

This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.

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