Transgender rights advocates attack Delaware Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride (D) for announcing her compliance with new House rules barring her from using women's restrooms on Capitol Hill despite the fact that she is a woman:
"Many expressed disappointment with McBride’s decision. Michelle Vallet, a parent of a transgender son, shared …
Transgender rights advocates attack Delaware Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride (D) for announcing her compliance with new House rules barring her from using women's restrooms on Capitol Hill despite the fact that she is a woman:
"Many expressed disappointment with McBride’s decision. Michelle Vallet, a parent of a transgender son, shared her frustration: “Now, to see Sarah McBride essentially confirm that if those who hate my son scream loud enough he should be expected to comply is a heartbreak I didn't really know existed. I need people to stand with and for my son, to risk their own comfort to protect his ability to see himself not only in my eyes but in this nation's eyes and heart. How do I tell him that a leader in his government's Congress doesn't think he's worth fighting for? I'm astounded at the shortsightedness of McBride's response, and I hope for the sake of all trans youth that she rethinks her position.”
Transgender advocate and Harvard Clinical Instructor Alejandra Caraballo emphasized the broader implications: “This isn't just about her. These rules apply to trans staffers and interns who do not have the protections and privilege that she has.”
Ash Orr, a transgender organizer in West Virginia, was equally critical: “Rep. McBride’s messaging essentially suggests that if a federal ban is enacted, trans people should simply comply. While I understand the difficult position she is in, she holds a position of immense power and privilege. She should be using that power to defend and protect her community, not falling in line. Trans lives are at stake.”"
Not being trans myself, I'm inclined to defer to McBride here. She knows what's best for trans people a lot better than I do (or any non-trans person does).
I don't really see this as obeying in advance so much as picking her battles. She may think she can do better work in Congress without picking this particular fight, and I agree with PNE above about being inclined to defer to her judgment.
Also, the timing of the GOP trolling her here was obviously calculated to distract from Trump's horrible cabinet nominations. McBride was right to not take the bait.
I don't know, to be honest, as I've never been in one of the House office buildings in D.C.
However, Erin Reed pointed out something important at the end of her article:
"It remains to be seen what further restrictions might be aimed at McBride. Congress operates under a male/female dress code, raising the possibility of additional regulations targeting her presentation. The House could even allow or require the use of masculine honorifics when addressing her. So far, Republicans have shown no signs of slowing their campaign against transgender rights, making it likely that McBride will face further attacks in the days ahead."
If Republicans go even further than what Reed suggested they might do against McBride and try to deny seating McBride in Congress altogether on the "basis" of listing herself as her legal and actual gender of female on campaign legal paperwork (statement of candidacy, etc.) instead of her gender assignment at birth of male, McBride would have zero choice whatsoever but to put up a major legal battle against the House GOP that would be virtually certain to end up before SCOTUS.
And there are unisex bathrooms I'm pretty sure. Anyway, she knows she's entering a lion's den of cretins so she just gotta take it on the chin and let them look bad for being bullies.
Not being disrespectful to the trans community but I think it helps to elect more trans House members who can organize with Sarah McBride to fight back.
For starters, there's no Transgender Congressional Caucus that I can think of. It would help to start one if the circumstances allowed it to.
Transgender rights advocates attack Delaware Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride (D) for announcing her compliance with new House rules barring her from using women's restrooms on Capitol Hill despite the fact that she is a woman:
"Many expressed disappointment with McBride’s decision. Michelle Vallet, a parent of a transgender son, shared her frustration: “Now, to see Sarah McBride essentially confirm that if those who hate my son scream loud enough he should be expected to comply is a heartbreak I didn't really know existed. I need people to stand with and for my son, to risk their own comfort to protect his ability to see himself not only in my eyes but in this nation's eyes and heart. How do I tell him that a leader in his government's Congress doesn't think he's worth fighting for? I'm astounded at the shortsightedness of McBride's response, and I hope for the sake of all trans youth that she rethinks her position.”
Transgender advocate and Harvard Clinical Instructor Alejandra Caraballo emphasized the broader implications: “This isn't just about her. These rules apply to trans staffers and interns who do not have the protections and privilege that she has.”
Ash Orr, a transgender organizer in West Virginia, was equally critical: “Rep. McBride’s messaging essentially suggests that if a federal ban is enacted, trans people should simply comply. While I understand the difficult position she is in, she holds a position of immense power and privilege. She should be using that power to defend and protect her community, not falling in line. Trans lives are at stake.”"
Source, written by Erin Reed, the soon-to-be-wife of Montana State Rep. Zooey Zephyr (D-Missoula): https://open.substack.com/pub/erininthemorn/p/congresswoman-mcbride-announces-she?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=4btu3r
Not being trans myself, I'm inclined to defer to McBride here. She knows what's best for trans people a lot better than I do (or any non-trans person does).
I support McBride here
I don't agree with McBride's decision to obey in advance, but she is in a difficult spot and I understand why she is doing so.
I don't really see this as obeying in advance so much as picking her battles. She may think she can do better work in Congress without picking this particular fight, and I agree with PNE above about being inclined to defer to her judgment.
Also, the timing of the GOP trolling her here was obviously calculated to distract from Trump's horrible cabinet nominations. McBride was right to not take the bait.
Has nothing to do with whatever Trump is doing, they're just horrible people in general looking to score points with the MAGAt base
It's a deflection though
My best guess is she is following "traditional" logic:
If a cis man walks into a women's bathroom, that is a red flag moment.
If a cis woman needs to use a men's bathroom, the "gentlemanly" thing to do is for the others to leave and let her use it in peace.
Inconsistent, but fits with the general perception that society must protect women first.
Do they not have bathrooms in their office? It's probably something she knew she could easily avoid
I don't know, to be honest, as I've never been in one of the House office buildings in D.C.
However, Erin Reed pointed out something important at the end of her article:
"It remains to be seen what further restrictions might be aimed at McBride. Congress operates under a male/female dress code, raising the possibility of additional regulations targeting her presentation. The House could even allow or require the use of masculine honorifics when addressing her. So far, Republicans have shown no signs of slowing their campaign against transgender rights, making it likely that McBride will face further attacks in the days ahead."
If Republicans go even further than what Reed suggested they might do against McBride and try to deny seating McBride in Congress altogether on the "basis" of listing herself as her legal and actual gender of female on campaign legal paperwork (statement of candidacy, etc.) instead of her gender assignment at birth of male, McBride would have zero choice whatsoever but to put up a major legal battle against the House GOP that would be virtually certain to end up before SCOTUS.
I can just about guarantee that GOP members will misgender her time and time again.
Some of those House MAGA extremists are such drama queens.
She'd eventually win that(the voters already decided to choose the candidate) but it may drag out
And there are unisex bathrooms I'm pretty sure. Anyway, she knows she's entering a lion's den of cretins so she just gotta take it on the chin and let them look bad for being bullies.
Not being disrespectful to the trans community but I think it helps to elect more trans House members who can organize with Sarah McBride to fight back.
For starters, there's no Transgender Congressional Caucus that I can think of. It would help to start one if the circumstances allowed it to.