KNOXVILLE (WATE) – A Knoxville restaurant is making a public statement against the state’s transgender restroom bill. The bill would require students at Tennessee schools and universities to use the restrooms and locker room facilities corresponding with the sex on their birth certificate.Previous Story:Transgender bathroom bill delayed amid financial questions

If you slow down and read the marquee outside Big Fatty’s Catering Kitchen on Kingston Pike, it reads ‘We Don’t ID 2 Pee H8 Sux.’

The bill has made some progress in Nashville but has also faced possible road blocks. The attorney general says it may put federal education funding in jeopardy and a number of large businesses are calling on lawmakers to reject the bill.

“I was just looking at it thinking, really there’s so much going on in the world, we care where someone pees?’I mean, I’m not going to ID to pee,” said owner Lisa Smith.

Smith says she’s taking a stand against the transgender bathroom bill because she’s concerned if it passes, it could hurt her restaurant’s bottom line.

“Gosh, what a bummer that would be for us working hard every day to make it. That our own representatives are impeding on our opportunities to advance our small businesses,” said Smith.

Marketing expert Rick Laney says when legislation is polarizing similar to this there are generally consequences and they could impact tourism.

“Any time you have issues people get very adamant about, you’re going to see a separation. And you’re going to see people who take a stand and try to boycott or avoid areas because of what they believe in,” said Laney.

With that, the state may get a bad reputation.

“From a marketing standpoint the message doesn’t change. Tennessee has a lot to offer from a tourism standpoint, East Tennessee in particular. I think you keep addressing what you have to offer and people will continue to come here,” added Laney.

Some say the bill is confusing but they hope on some level it passes.

“My child does not need to know what that means. No, they don’t need to know what that means, especially in grammar school. You know, kindergarten or first grade. Sure there’s not a lot of that, but who knows there may be and I wouldn’t want to take that chance,” said Megan Yates of Knoxville.

Businesses like Smith’s have questions before lawmakers make a final decision.

“How long is it going to take to counter this reputation? What else do we have to pass and what do we have to do to get business back,” asked Smith.

Visit Knoxville declined comment and representatives with the Knoxville Chamber are in Nashville and were not able to answer any questions.

“We’re following that. We have some concerns about the potential loss of Title IX funding that comes from the Department of Education and again we’ll wait and see how it plays its way through all the committees,” said Gov. Bill Haslam.

The transgender bathroom bill was deferred to a senate committee hearing next Monday.