Mace faces backlash over effort to ban new transgender member of Congress from women’s bathrooms
Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, found herself embroiled in online clashes with critics on Tuesday after filing a resolution to bar men who identify as female from using women’s restrooms on Capitol Hill. The resolution, filed on Monday, aims to restrict “Members, officers, and employees of the House from using single-sex facilities other than those corresponding to their biological sex.”
The timing of the resolution coincides with the impending arrival of Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, a Democrat from Delaware who is set to become the first openly transgender lawmaker in Congress in January. McBride, a biological male who identifies as female, criticized Mace’s resolution as a distraction from more pressing issues, stating that the focus should be on addressing the cost of housing, healthcare, and child care instead of engaging in culture wars.
In response to critics who suggested that the resolution was targeting McBride, Mace confirmed that was her intention. She asserted that biological men should not have the right to access women’s private spaces and defended her stance by stating that she will always prioritize the protection of women and girls.
Mace’s unwavering position drew backlash from McBride’s supporters, who labeled her as a bigot and a bully. Left-wing journalist Aaron Rupar accused Mace of displaying “unvarnished transphobic bigotry,” to which Mace reiterated her commitment to protecting women’s rights from what she described as radical left-wing efforts to erase them.
Democratic content creator Harry Sisson also accused Mace of bigotry and bullying, prompting Mace to highlight the importance of safeguarding women’s private spaces and denounce the left’s advocacy for allowing men into these spaces.
Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat from Minnesota, criticized Mace’s resolution as “pathetic” and questioned her motives for barring individuals from using restrooms based on their gender identity. Mace responded by emphasizing her concerns about privacy and safety for women, drawing from her personal experience as a victim of abuse.
The resolution marks a shift to the right for Mace, who previously supported a Republican alternative to the Equality Act that aimed to provide civil rights protections to LGBTQ individuals while accommodating religious institutions and individuals. Mace’s past statements on LGBTQ rights and her belief in coexistence between religious liberty, gay rights, and transgender equality reflect her nuanced approach to gender issues.
As the debate surrounding Mace’s resolution continues, it underscores the complex intersection of gender identity, privacy, and civil rights in the ongoing discourse on LGBTQ rights. Ultimately, Mace’s unwavering commitment to protecting women’s rights and her emphasis on safety and privacy highlight the nuanced and multifaceted nature of the debate on transgender rights in the political landscape.
