WASHINGTON: Democrats and LGBTQ rights advocates expressed outrage on Tuesday after a Republican lawmaker introduced a measure that would ban the first openly transgender person elected to the US Congress from using women’s restrooms in the building.

The text targets Sarah McBride, who won one of Delaware’s seats in the House of Representatives earlier this month and will take her place in Congress come January.

On Monday, Republican Representative Nancy Mace, a staunch ally of president-elect Donald Trump, introduced the resolution banning transgender women from using female restrooms.

The fiery South Carolina congresswoman also explained her thinking on X, posting that “biological men do not belong in private women’s spaces. Period. Full stop. End of story.”

Transgender rights are a hot-button issue in the United States — with the participation of trans people in competitive sports and the subject of access to gender-affirming care for minors triggering fiery debate. Democrats and LGBTQ advocates largely denounced Mace’s effort, categorising it as an attack on trans people.

Calling the proposed resolution “hateful,” US House Democrat Becca Balint said there was “no bottom to the cruelty. We have an obligation to push back.” Mark Pocan, chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, said the resolution was “a pathetic, attention-seeking attempt to grab Trump’s eye and the media spotlight.” “Trans people, including trans employees, are paying the price,” he said.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2024