This Former White House Intern Just Called out Trans Bathroom Panic with One Brilliant Photo
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A transgender woman and former White House intern just called out the absurdity of trans bathroom panic in her powerful Instagram post below:
Sarah McBride, the current campaigns and communications manager for the Center for American Progress, posted an Instagram photo of herself in a women's restroom in North Carolina to shed light on the state's recently approved House Bill 2, a law that requires transgender people to use restrooms and locker rooms in schools or government buildings that match their biological sex instead of their gender identities.
In her post, McBride listed some of the discriminatory reasons that people cite to justify trans bathroom panic and ban transgender individuals from using the bathroom that fits with their identity.
"Here I am using a women's restroom in North Carolina that I'm technically barred from being in," McBride wrote. "They say I'm a pervert. They say I'm a man dressed as a woman. They say I'm a threat to their children. They say I'm confused. They say I'm dangerous. And they say accepting me as the person I have fought my life to be seen as reflects the downfall of a once great nation."
McBride, who came out as student body president of American University in 2012, wrote what many trans advocates have argued before: that she is "just a person" who is trying to "pee in peace."
"I'm just a person. We are all just people. Trying to pee in peace. Trying to live our lives as fully and authentically as possible. Barring me from this restroom doesn't help anyone. And allowing me to continue to use this bathroom - just without fear of discrimination and harassment - doesn't hurt anyone. Stop this. We are good people. #repealhb2"
McBride's post has received ample support from her friends and followers:
Instagram comments - instagram.com
McBride's message comes after nationwide discussion over House Bill 2, which Gov. Pat McCrory (R) signed into law last month. The debate continued earlier this week when former baseball pitcher Curt Schilling was fired by ESPN for sharing an anti-trans meme that trivializes and mocks trans people for wanting to use the bathroom that fits with their gender identity.
Many people disagreed with Schilling and think that trans bathroom panic is profoundly unfair to those who are merely trying to use the restroom.
