Congresswoman unwilling to let colleague use toilets on Capitol Hill while Nation Languishes.
In a disheartening yet unsurprising escalation of anti-transgender rhetoric, Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) has introduced a resolution aimed at barring transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the U.S. Capitol. This move coincides with the historic election of Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, and appears to be a thinly veiled response to her presence.
Mace’s resolution mandates that individuals use facilities corresponding to their so-called “biological sex,” a phrase often weaponised to undermine transgender identities. In her justification, Mace claimed, “The sanctity of protecting women and standing up against the Left’s systematic erasure of biological women starts here in the nation’s Capitol.”
This probably shouldn’t need to be said, but for those who just got here, this is not about safety. It’s not about “protecting women.” It’s about manufacturing fear and pushing a narrative that deliberately marginalises trans people.
McBride, a Democrat from Delaware, responded to the resolution by highlighting its irrelevance to the real issues facing the country. “We should be focused on bringing down the cost of housing, health care, and child care, not manufacturing culture wars,” she stated. Her words reflect a frustration shared by many Americans who see these attacks as distractions from addressing urgent societal challenges.
As the “culture wars” rage on, remember this: history has not been kind to those who fought to deny others their rights.
This resolution is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader campaign to roll back the rights of transgender people in the United States. From bills targeting healthcare access to restrictions on public accommodations and sports participation, the legislative assault on transgender lives has become a central plank in the far-right’s culture war.
These policies do not exist in a vacuum—they perpetuate harm. They legitimise discrimination and embolden those who seek to dehumanise trans individuals. At their core, such measures send a dangerous message: that the dignity, safety, and humanity of trans people are negotiable.
It is worth noting the stark irony here: a lawmaker using their platform not to legislate solutions to the housing crisis or improve healthcare access, but to legislate where a duly elected colleague can use the restroom. It’s a grim reflection of partisan priorities, skewed by prejudice.
Transgender rights are human rights. Trans representation in government is a step toward a more inclusive and equitable society, but representation alone is not enough. Lawmakers must actively oppose efforts to erode the hard-fought gains of marginalised communities.
Mace’s actions underscore the urgent need for vigilance and solidarity in the face of these attacks. The pushback against such policies must be unwavering, ensuring that no one’s humanity is up for debate. We must amplify the voices of those fighting for dignity, safety, and equality—and refuse to let hate dictate the narrative.
As the culture wars rage on, remember this: history has not been kind to those who fought to deny others their rights. In time, this moment will stand as a testament to the resilience of those who resist oppression and fight for a world where everyone’s identity is respected.
The question remains: Which side of history will you be on?