Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) introduced a new bathroom bill on Monday that seeks to prohibit transgender women from using female restrooms within the U.S. Capitol, citing her concerns over privacy and safety.
Mace openly stated that the election of transgender Rep.-elect Sarah McBride directly influenced the legislation. “I’m not going to stand for a man, someone with a penis, in the women’s locker room—that’s not OK,” Mace said in a statement on Tuesday.
The congresswoman, who is a survivor of sexual abuse, emphasised her personal experience as a motivating factor behind the bill. “I know how vulnerable women and girls are in private spaces, so I’m absolutely 100% going to stand in the way of any man who wants to be in a women’s restroom,” she added, referring to her struggles with PTSD stemming from her past trauma.
McBride, who is set to become the first openly transgender member of Congress, quickly criticised the bill. She expressed disappointment over Mace’s stance, arguing that the legislation was discriminatory and harmful to transgender individuals. The controversy marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over transgender rights and bathroom access in the United States.
