GLM hosts bathroom sit-in for trans rights
photography by Alexa Blair Wilkinson
on Thursday December 5 Gender Liberation Movement (GLM) led about 25 people in a bathroom sit-in at a congressional bathroom in Washington D.C. following the rally on Wednesday, GLM chose this location as it was in proximity to Rep. Nancy Mace. since Mace’s election in 2018, she has spread so much anti-trans rhetoric and now is pushing the proposed expanded bill H. RES. 1579 that would ban bathroom access for trans people in all federal buildings.
this is just the beginning and could extend to educational institutions, museums, and other public landmarks. to speak out about these bills and push Speaker Johnson to deny this from being enacted, the protestors gathered to take a stand.
BATHROOM BIGOTRY’S GOT TO GO!
the social justice activists and allies gathered in the quiet hallway with a group holding a yellow sign that read “STOP PISSING ON OUR RIGHTS” outside of Speaker Johnson’s office door. the first chant rang through the halls. “SPEAKER JOHNSON NANCY MACE OUR GENDER IS NO DEBATE. SPEAKER JOHNSON NANCY MACE OUR BODIES ARE NO DEBATE!” one of the protestors being FLAMER co-founder + CEO Wyatt Harms.
"we’re here because basic human dignity is not up for debate,” Harms declares. “these discriminatory policies don't just affect access to bathroom, they strike at the core of trans' folks right to exist in public spaces. this is an attack on the marginalized of our community cannot not be met with silence—we must act to protect all of our rights."
across the way of Johnson’s office was a women’s bathroom where another bunch held a purple and pink sign that read “FLUSH BATHROOM BIGOTRY.”
whistleblower, Chelsea Manning, GLM co-founder Raquel Willis, and abortion liberation rights activist, Renee Bracey Sherman took place chanting in the women’s restroom. I had the honor of live-streaming the sit-in. running between the hallway and the bathroom to account the echoing chants of the group. one of my favorites being “HEY HEY HO HO BATHROOM BIGOTRY’S GOT TO GO!”
as the group expected, capitol police would arrive and arrest those who continued protesting. despite being restrained by zip ties 15 of the activists including Butch Molly continued to chant “DEMOCRATS GROW A SPINE! TRANS LIVES ARE ON THE LINE!” as they were taken to police vans for processing.
THE BIGOTRY CONTINUES AS NANCY MACE USES THE T SLUR ONLINE
after the news got to Mace, she decided to have someone from her team—likely an intern—grab a bullhorn. she left her office midday to shout outside the precinct where the activists were being held. she posted a video on X calling the group “tr***y protestors”—yes, you read that right. and then proceeded to yell the Miranda rights—which by the way are not used for civil disobedience cases like sit-ins, so it’s irrelevant—into the megaphone.
despite Mace’s attempt to discourage us, we prevailed with high hopes and a ton of great press. Ariel and Elil set up a “war room” for getting media outlets like Teen Vogue and The Washington Post, quotes, photos, and videos. photojournalist Alexa Blair Wilkinson captured the essence of the action and aided in press support. While the sit-in was nearly two weeks ago, we’re still seeing buzz—and we expect to see more. just yesterday, The Guardian published an op-ed from one of the main organizers, Jay Saper. she calls into question Mace’s overt transphobia and how democrats remain complicit to it. Saper also notes similarities in historical sit-ins and civil disobedience actions that inspired her and others to take to a Capitol bathroom.
“now is the time for radical defiance,” shares Raquel in GLM reel. “we want folx to figure out ways to show up.” and we will continue to show up for trans rights!
HOW TO SUPPORT THE MISSION:
if you would like to support the movement you can donate to Gender Liberation Movement here.
with our new capsule collection hoodie + shorts set we’re donating 10% of the proceeds to GLM—preorder now ;)
