GOP Rep. Mace Intensifies Bathroom Battle, Pushes for Federal Limits on Transgender Facility Access

South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace has introduced legislation that could significantly restrict the rights of transgender individuals in federal facilities. The move follows her recent confrontation with incoming Delaware Representative Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, regarding bathroom access on Capitol Hill.

The proposed Protecting Women’s Private Spaces Act would enforce a ban on the use of single-sex bathrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms based on biological sex rather than gender identity. This legislation aims to prevent transgender women and men from accessing facilities that align with their gender identity on federal property, which includes buildings owned by various government agencies, national parks, and Smithsonian museums.

Mace’s bill comes on the heels of another resolution she filed targeting McBride directly, which sought to block trans members of Congress and their staff from using gender-conforming restrooms. In a recent statement, Mace expressed her determination to protect what she considers to be women’s rights and spaces, framing her efforts as a necessary pushback against what she calls the “radical Left.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson supported Mace’s initiative, asserting that single-sex facilities would be designated for individuals of the corresponding biological sex. He emphasized that private restrooms are available in each member’s office, alongside unisex facilities throughout the Capitol. Johnson claimed that women deserve access to spaces exclusive to them.

Despite these claims, studies suggest that gender-inclusive restrooms do not lead to increased risks for women and girls. Research from UCLA in 2018 indicated that laws aimed at preventing discrimination in public restrooms had no impact on criminal activity in those spaces, while another study from the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law found no evidence linking gender-inclusive access to sexual offenses.

Transgender individuals, however, often face harassment in public restrooms. A survey from the National Center for Transgender Equality revealed that 12% of respondents reported verbal harassment, and over half refrained from using public restrooms due to fears of confrontation.

Democrats on Capitol Hill have accused Mace and her Republican colleagues of “bullying” McBride. They argue that the focus should remain on substantive policy issues rather than engaging in culture wars. As of now, Mace’s legislation has not yet been assigned to a committee for further discussion.

The announcement of Mace’s bill coincided with Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day established to honor and reflect on violence against transgender individuals, reinforcing the ongoing tensions regarding transgender rights in the legislative arena.