AUSTIN, Texas – A Republican-dominated state senate committee has voted 8-to-1 in favor of legislation restricting public bathrooms, showers and locker rooms in Texas to persons of the same sex at birth.

The measure now goes to the full Texas Senate, which approved a similar bill earlier this year, and then to the House, which turned it down then.

The Senate Committee on State Affairs listened to 11 hours of testimony, most of it against the bill, on Friday prior to voting approval. State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, a principal sponsor and former college golfer, said the aim is to protect the privacy and dignity of Texas women and girls.

Foes of the bill, citing what happened in North Carolina when it enacted a similar law, warned it would harm the economy in the nation’s second most populous state, with cancellation of national conventions, sporting events, music concerts and other events.

Gov. Greg Abbott revived the debate over the bathroom bill, after its defeat in the regular Texas legislative session, by calling a special session to reconsider and pass the measure.

Scores of protesters to the bill gathered at the State Capitol building to voice their opposition before the senate committee. Mayor Ron Nirenberg of San Antonio, the second largest city in Texas, said his community has already lost conventions due to the mere debate over the issue.

At one point during the hearing, Sen. José Menéndez of San Antonio asked a transgender woman to man if the bill became law, it would mean “you would have to walk into a women’s bathroom. Just looking at you, it seems like that might cause a problem, don’t you think?”

Ethan Avanzino, a Dallas flight attendant with Southwest Airlines, laughed momentarily, replying: “Yes, my hairy chest and legs would cause quite a stir.”

Avanzino, who features a low voice and neatly trimmed beard, urged the legislators not to discriminate against transgender people, saying they deserve to be treated for who they are, the same as other individuals, and do not pose a public safety threat.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who has led social conservative support for the bathroom bill, has denied the intent of the bill is discriminatory; that its purpose is public safety and women’s privacy. He has also said critics routinely exaggerate the potential economic fallout.

But major corporations and business associations said they oppose the bill on human rights and economic grounds. They are campaigning against the measure on television, radio and full-page newspaper advertisements.