A foster care advocate is contesting Congresswoman Nancy Mace’s account of an interaction that led to the arrest of a man at the Capitol. Elliott Hinkle, 31, founder of Unicorn Solutions and a prominent advocate for child welfare and LGBTQ youth, attended an event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Foster Care Independence Act, where Mace, a South Carolina Republican and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, spoke.
Hinkle reported that during her speech, Mace expressed her eagerness to collaborate with advocates present at the event. After Mace concluded her remarks, James McIntyre, 33, co-founder of the Illinois chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America, approached her, extended his hand, and stated, “Trans youth are also foster youth, and they need your support.” After their handshake, McIntyre returned to his seat.
Shortly after Mace departed with a staffer, that staffer returned to inquire about McIntyre’s identity and message for Mace. Minutes later, Hinkle observed U.S. Capitol Police arriving at the event. According to an official statement, McIntyre was arrested following an investigative interview.
Hinkle noted the interaction as normal, stating, “I watched that interaction happen, and I saw a handshake and a conversation and a very normal thing for an advocate to come to D.C. and do.” Others present shared similar feelings, with Lisa Dickson, a former foster youth advocate, expressing disappointment that Mace would label the event a safe space but later have an advocate arrested merely for reaching out.
According to a report from D.C. Superior Court, Mace described the encounter as aggressive, alleging that McIntyre shook her arm in an exaggerated manner for about 3-5 seconds, leaving her feeling intimidated. Despite claiming pain in her arm and refusing medical assistance, she characterized the incident on social media as being “physically accosted.”
Mace has been under scrutiny since introducing a measure prohibiting lawmakers from using facilities inconsistent with their biological sex, a move she justified as a response to the election of the first openly transgender member of Congress. McIntyre has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and is now required to stay away from Mace under court orders.
This incident underscores the complexities surrounding discussions of gender identity, advocacy, and the treatment of foster youth in political spaces. It serves as a reminder of the challenges advocates face while striving for recognition and support in a landscape marked by strong opinions and opposing views. As society continues to navigate these discussions, hope remains for constructive dialogue that uplifts marginalized voices while fostering understanding and cooperation.
Overall, the hope is that such interactions can lead to greater awareness and advocacy for the needs of all foster youth, including those who identify as transgender.