Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride is facing anti-transgender bias just days after her historic election to the U.S. House of Representatives from Delaware. McBride is set to make history as the first openly transgender person to serve in Congress when she assumes office in January.
Recently, GOP Rep. Nancy Mace from South Carolina introduced a resolution that seeks to impose a bathroom ban as part of the House rules package that members will vote on next month. This proposal aims to restrict the use of single-sex facilities, like bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms, to individuals based on their biological sex.
This proposed ban would not only apply to the U.S. Capitol but would also extend to House office buildings, with enforcement placed in the hands of the House sergeant at arms. Support for the bathroom ban has also emerged from other conservative figures, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia, who has expressed her backing for similar restrictions.
In a social media post responding to Mace’s resolution, McBride stated, “everyday Americans go to work with people who have life journeys different than their own and engage with them respectfully. I hope members of Congress can muster that same kindness.” She characterized the bathroom ban as a “blatant attempt from far right-wing extremists” to divert attention from pressing issues facing Americans, such as the rising costs of housing, health care, and child care.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson refrained from expressing a definitive stance on Mace’s legislation but emphasized the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect. He stated that Congress has never previously addressed this issue but assured that deliberation would involve member consensus and a commitment to accommodate everyone’s needs.
Rep. Mace, however, expressed her belief that McBride should not have access to women’s spaces, bathrooms, and locker rooms, which reflects her misgendering comments.
Despite the challenges ahead, McBride’s election represents a significant step for LGBTQ+ representation in government and serves as a beacon of hope for many advocating for equality and understanding.
Summary: Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender Congress member-elect from Delaware, is facing attempts to impose a bathroom ban in the House, introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace. McBride has criticized the ban as an effort to distract from more significant issues facing the public and has called for kindness and respect in political discourse. The development highlights the ongoing challenges for transgender individuals in political and social spheres while underscoring McBride’s historic achievement.