The Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, restricted the use of gendered bathrooms in the House to biological members of each sex on Wednesday. The measure has triggered anger among legislators and advocates and has once again brought the issues of transgender rights and their inclusion in society to the agenda of national discussion.

This decision is based on House Resolution 1579, which states that single-sex facilities such as toilets, cubicles, and changing rooms can be used only by people of the biological sex they were assigned at birth. The bill was sponsored by Nancy Mace and was endorsed by the House Rules Committee. Supporters have framed the speaker’s policy as a necessary measure to protect the safety and dignity of individuals in single-sex spaces, particularly women. House Resolution 1579 explicitly cites concerns that allowing individuals who are biologically male to use facilities designated for women could compromise the privacy and security of female House members, officers, and employees. Proponents argue that this policy provides clarity and consistency, ensuring facility use within the Capitol aligns with traditional norms and expectations.

The enforcement mechanism outlined in the resolution places the Sergeant-at-Arms in charge of implementing the policy, reflecting an effort to ensure accountability and uniform application. Supporters, including the resolution’s sponsor, Representative Nancy Mace, contend that the measure is a workplace consideration to foster a respectful environment within the Capitol. By addressing these concerns, policy advocates assert that it represents a practical response to broader societal debates over privacy and safety in public spaces.

This policy stands in stark contrast to the ongoing efforts to address the epidemic of violence against transgender individuals. It was announced on the same day as Transgender Day of Remembrance, a solemn occasion created to honour the lives of transgender individuals lost to violence, as highlighted in a resolution introduced by Representative Pramila Jayapal. The resolution emphasizes the alarming rates of violence and discrimination faced by transgender individuals, particularly transgender women of colour. It underscores the need for inclusive policies that protect their safety and dignity. By implementing restrictive measures on such a significant day, the policy appears to disregard the critical struggles and vulnerabilities of the transgender community, further marginalizing an already targeted population.

The policy will likely face public and potentially public scrutiny in court as lawmakers and advocacy groups weigh its implications. For now, the decision places the Capitol building at the center of a national conversation about civil rights, equity, and the balance between privacy and inclusion.

The contrast between this policy and Transgender Day of Remembrance highlights the ongoing challenges in the fight for transgender rights. It shows that achieving true inclusion in government spaces and beyond is still a work in progress, and there’s to go before we can say the struggle is over.