The Courage of the First Transgender Congresswoman-Elect and Post Election Events
The next four years will be difficult, but remember none of are alone, there's a huge LGBTQ+ community in this state and nation working for us all!
The Right Woman for the Job
Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender person elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, made history at the beginning of this month with her election and now, just a few weeks later she is showing the nation what leadership looks like. McBride is facing a discriminatory bathroom ban imposed by House Republicans as she prepares to take office in January. The ban, introduced by Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) and supported by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), would prohibit transgender individuals, including members, officers, and employees, from using restrooms in the Capitol and House office buildings that align with their gender identity.
Mace's resolution, which has been widely condemned as discriminatory and harmful, specifically targets McBride, who was elected to represent Delaware. While Mace claims that the ban is intended to "protect women and girls," her arguments have been widely criticized as unfounded and transphobic. Make no mistake it is McBride’s courageous and dignified response to these petty and hateful attempts to attack and bait her that have shifted the public perception of Mace’s resolution.
Critics, including McBride herself, have pointed out that assaults by transgender women in women's restrooms are extremely rare to non-existent. McBride, like all other trans people, pose no threat to anyone in public restrooms. In fact the opposite is true. Transgender people face violence in every aspect of our lives, including in public restrooms. Let me say it again - transgender people are the victims of violence in public restrooms at the hands of cisgender people.
Additionally, women's restrooms are typically designed with private stalls, further minimizing any potential for privacy concerns.
Ironically, the ban would force transgender men, who may appear indistinguishable from cisgender men, to use women's restrooms. There is no doubt that transgender men using women’s restrooms will create discomfort for the women who use congressional restrooms. The irony being that Mace’s ban will have the effect of essentially creating non-gendered or all gender restrooms at the capitol.
Many have accused Mace of using the bathroom ban as a cynical and craven ploy to gain media attention and court a more conservative base in her redrawn district. Her actions contradict her previous statements of support for LGBTQ+ rights and equality.
Natalie Johnson, Mace's former communications director, stated that the bill is "simply a ploy to get on Fox News" and not a genuine attempt to protect women.
In response to the ban, McBride has chosen to focus on her constituents and the issues she was elected to address, stating that she is "not here to fight about bathrooms" but rather "here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families". She has pledged to follow the rules set forth by Speaker Johnson, while emphasizing that she disagrees with them.
McBride's dignified and courageous response is a throwback to models civil rights leaders of the past have used to fight these kind of petty and dehumanizing attacks on the humanity of marginalized people. There is no doubt that McBride’s response is a demonstration of political artistry and a refusal to be drawn into a harmful debate.
She aims to showcase her "competence in governing" in contrast to the "chaos" and "grandstanding" displayed by those pushing the bathroom ban. It seems clear that the American people see McBride’s dignified response favorably and agree with her that her job is to govern and not engage in petty fights with small minded people. Wile there is much work to do in terms of equality for transgender people in the coming years, it is clear that in this specific example McBride’s leadership has turned the tide of public sentiment in favor of McBride and against the absurd obsessions of Nancy Mace and her colleagues.
Another highlight in this moment is the enormous outpouring of support for McBride from her colleagues in Congress and from the community at large. We are proud that Congresswoman-elect Yassamin Ansari (AZ CD3) has very publicly stood in solidarity with McBride. Leadership matters and it is wonderful to see the quality of leadership these two Congresswomen-elect will bring to the House of Representatives.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by transgender individuals, particularly in the political arena, because trans people are often subjected to discrimination and targeted attacks. The bathroom ban is a stark reminder of the urgent need to ensure the safety, dignity, and inclusion of all people.
Post Election Community Events
We hope you will join us for our community election debrief zoom calls. Equality Arizona is thrilled to partner with one·n·ten, GLSEN Arizona, One Community, and the Southwest Center to offer a space to understand the incoming political landscape and prepare for the years ahead. We have two calls, one on Saturday (11/23) and one on Tuesday (11/26). We hope you can join at least one of the calls.
Community Election Debrief: LGBTQ+ Youth & Families
Date: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 4:00pm
Please register for this call by clicking this link.
Community Election Debrief: The Future of LGBTQ+ Arizona
Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Time: 4:30pm
Please register for this call by clicking this link.
