On Nov. 20—the Transgender Day of Remembrance—U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) announced a policy barring trans people from using restrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms aligned with their gender identity in the U.S. Capitol and House Office Buildings, The Advocate reported.
Johnson noted that unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol complex and that each congressional office has a private restroom. However, he added, “Women deserve [women]-only spaces.”
The new rule follows rising tensions among GOP members of Congress over the election of Sarah McBride, a Democrat representing Delaware who will be the first out transgender member of Congress when she is sworn in. South Carolina Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace admitted that her proposed resolution, which specifically aimed to ban trans women from women’s restrooms in the Capitol, was “absolutely” in response to McBride’s election.
On Nov. 18, GOP Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene repeatedly misgendered McBride when asked about Mace’s proposal. Talking with Pablo Manríquez shared on X, Greene said of McBride, “”He’s a man. He’s a biological male. So he is not allowed to use our women’s restrooms, our women’s gym, our locker rooms and spaces that are specified for women.”
Some have interpreted Johnson’s move as a sign that Republicans feel empowered since Donald Trump has been re-elected president. The GOP controls the House and Senate as well.