Once in a while – like when a movie star or musician comes out (we’re waiting, Shawn Mendes!) – I always think, “Score one for our side!” Probably more so in the past, when coming out could absolutely kill a career, and consequently, queer celebrities were few and far between. However, even now, I’m delighted when I see the news that another celebrity has publicly addressed that, yes, they are part of the queer community.
And that’s just me. Imagine how excited the queer community was to see that we have our first transgender member of Congress – U.S. House Rep-elect Sarah McBride. Queer members have been sprinkled throughout Congress over the years. But to have someone transgender is a first. Her constituents looked at the work she did while in the Delaware state legislature and decided she was the right choice to represent them in the House.
Except she has to pee.
Cue the Keystone Kops. In this instance, starring U.S. House Rep. Nancy Mace, who, in 72 hours, managed to make over 100 social media posts expressing her outrage that McBride would be using the women’s restroom. Women’s spaces must be protected from men! (McBride is a woman.) That’s all Nancy is really doing – protecting women. From one person. Who already has a private bathroom.
This is the hill you want to die on, Nancy? Not better healthcare access? Inflation? Housing? Sure, none of that gets you on Fox, but I’m sure your constituents would like to see you working on something important for a change, versus acting like a complete tool and singling out one person over where they’re going to pee.
Except the faux outrage and distress about protecting women had the desired result. House Speaker Mike Johnson declared: “All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings — such as restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms — are reserved for individuals of that biological sex. Women deserve women-only spaces.”
So who is going to stand at the restroom door and check? Are the Capitol Police now the Genital Police? Based on the January 6th riot, I would assume they have more important things to do. Perhaps Nancy can take on that task herself when she’s not sitting on a committee, or in the House chamber voting on legislation, or out fundraising for her next election.
Gurl, you have plenty to do. And checking out private parts is the last thing you should be worrying about.
And don’t even think about asking the architecture community to help with this process. We have a hard enough time working out the dreaded plumbing fixture count without trying to come up with a way to ensure only “women” are using the women’s restroom. We have plenty to do just working out the correct number of toilets to ensure potty parity. It’s no wonder that for the past few years, architects have been pushing for code changes to allow for gender-neutral restrooms.
But if Nancy is intent on enforcing this charade, I hope she’s there when a large group of trans men pop into the ladies’ room per the new requirements. Or even better, she’s in there herself and comes running out screaming about men being in the women’s restroom.
Cue the outrage.
