Dan Patrick says bathroom bill not discrimination 'It's simply common sense, common decency and public safety'

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick holds up a letter supporting real estate tax relief during a news conference at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Lt. Gov. Patrick issued an ultimatum to the Texas House on Wednesday, saying he must see passage of two of his priorities Â property tax relief and limits on transgender-friendly bathroom policies Â before the Senate will act on key legislation to keep some state agencies operating. Patrick also said if the House fails to pass either priority, he will press Gov. Greg Abbott to call as many special sessions as necessary to gain approval. (Deborah Cannon/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less Lt. Governor Dan Patrick holds up a letter supporting real estate tax relief during a news conference at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, May 17, 2017. Lt. Gov. Patrick issued an ultimatum to the ... more Photo: Deborah Cannon, MBO Photo: Deborah Cannon, MBO Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Dan Patrick says bathroom bill not discrimination 1 / 18 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN -- For most of the week, religious leaders on both sides of the bathroom bill debate have taken to the steps of the Texas Capitol to debate whether the legislation is discriminatory against people.

Now comes a fresh response from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who used a YouTube video released late yesterday to register his thoughts.

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"It does not discriminate against anyone," Patrick said in a YouTube clip just over a minute long. "It's simply common sense, common decency and public safety to protect the women of the state of Texas."

Patrick said Senate Bill 3 is meant to protect privacy.

"Adult women don't want men following them into the ladies room, nor do they want their little girls or their granddaughters being followed into a bathroom by a man," he said.

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Patrick's statement comes after a spirited week outside of the Capitol this week. On Tuesday, more than 200 religious leaders from around the state rallied to oppose the legislation, which some declared is discriminatory against people who are transgender.

"Any effort to single out and discriminate or profile anyone -- especially the most most vulnerable among us - needs to be opposed," Retired United Methodist Bishop Joel Martinez of San Antonio said.

But yesterday, a different group of clergy took to the steps to declare the bills as a way to save Texas from discrimination. Pastor Ericka McCrutcheon of Houston, said the privacy bills "serve to protect me and the daughters of Texas from discrimination for simply being a woman."

Click through the gallery to see the top things you should know about the controversial bill.