Politics

Trans Activists Take Over Women’s Bathroom On Capitol Hill

North Carolina Clashes With U.S. Over New Public Restroom Law

(Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images)

Julianna Frieman Contributor
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Transgender activists took over at least one women’s bathroom Thursday on Capitol Hill.

Law enforcement arrested approximately 15 demonstrators protesting against Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson’s recent ban on biological men entering bathrooms and facilities of the female sex, according to Axios.

Video shows a crowd of protesters clog a hall near a women’s bathroom while holding signs. This took place in the Cannon House Office Building close to Johnson’s office. One sign read, “Congress Stop Pissing on Our Rights!”

Johnson’s bathroom ban issued to protect women’s spaces from infiltrating males came after Republican South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace raised the issue by introducing a bill before Democratic Delaware Representative-elect Sarah McBride — the first ever representative to identify as transgender — is sworn in. (RELATED: Nancy Mace Introduces Bill To Block Trans Woman From Capitol Bathrooms)

The activist group echoed chants of “Speaker Johnson, Nancy Mace,” “our bodies are not debate” and “our genders are not debate.”

Chelsea Manning was among the pro-transgender activists occupying the women’s bathroom, according to Axios. It is unknown whether authorities took Manning into custody.

Democrats were not off the hook when it came to the issue as protesters chanted, “Democrats, grow a spine! Trans rights are on the line.”

A transgender activist posted a video on social media while appearing to use the women’s bathroom. “Meeting in the ladies room at the US Capital,” TikTok user RealTayChaTLC wrote in the caption to the video.

“I’m coming in the ladies room to shake the dew off my lily. I’m gonna shake the dew off my lily. I’m gonna pop a squat. I swear, nothing bad’s gonna happen. I’m just going pee,” the user said on camera, shutting the stall door and sitting down. “So I’m sitting in the toilet, and I’m going pee. I know this is newsworthy. I don’t know why. But I just wanted to let you know that everything’s coming out okay. And I hope you have a really nice day.”

The women’s bathroom blockage was organized by the Gender Liberation Movement, which issued a statement saying the protest “sets an example of the righteous defiance and solidarity needed under a second Trump administration.“

“Everyone deserves to use the restroom without fear of discrimination or violence. Trans folks are no different. We deserve dignity and respect and we will fight until we get it,” GLM co-founder Raquel Willis said.

Mace delivered a “special message” — megaphone in hand — to demonstrators in a video posted on X after the arrests were made.

“So, some tranny protesters showed up at the Capitol today to protest my bathroom bill. But they got arrested — poor things. So, I have a message for the protesters who got arrested. You ready?” the congresswoman said, raising her megaphone.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law,” Mace spoke into the megaphone. “You have the right to speak to an attorney [and have an attorney] present during any question. If you cannot afford an attorney — I doubt many of you can — one will be provided to you at the government’s expense.”