U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) announced on November 20 her plan to introduce the “Protecting Woman’s Private Spaces Act.” This act prohibits transgender people from using bathrooms and single-sex facilities that do not align with their gender assigned at birth. This restriction would apply nationwide to all U.S. government buildings and D.C. government-owned facilities.
The bill also targets public schools, libraries, and recreation centres in Washington, D.C., as these operate in government-owned buildings. The proposal has raised some much-needed questions, particularly regarding its impact on transgender rights and access to something as basic as using the bathroom.
Interestingly, the timing of Mace’s announcement coincides with Rep.-elect Sarah McBride’s historic entry to the office as the first-ever openly transgender person elected to Congress. A coincidence that is almost impossible to overlook in the ongoing political debate over transgender rights.
What the “Protecting Woman’s Private Spaces Act” proposes
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace introduced the “Protecting Woman’s Private Spaces Act” on X, stating, “The sanctity of protecting women and standing up against the Left’s systematic erasure of biological women starts here in the nation’s Capitol.” She emphasised that the bill defends women’s spaces and aims to bring “sanity” to Capitol Hill.
Mace also responded to accusations of promoting TERF (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) views, saying, “The Left screams TERF politics; we call it putting women first.“
The bill defines single-sex facilities as those intended for use by one biological sex, including restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms. It defines federal property as any building, land, or property owned, leased, or occupied by U.S. government agencies. It includes the Department of Defense and the Postal Service, as well as any D.C. or U.S. territories.
An official from the House Periodical Press Gallery confirmed that as of November 21, the bill had not yet been placed in the House bill “hopper.” Still, it will likely be formally introduced and assigned to a committee when Congress returns from Thanksgiving recess on December 3.
Congressional observers predict that Democrats will likely block the bill from passing in the current Congress, as they control the Senate until January. After that, the Republican-controlled House and Senate will take office. However, Mace’s bill indicates the possibility that similar legislation may be introduced in 2025. It will be after potentially gaining support from Republicans or the incoming administration.
The problem is that these future bills could bring more legal restrictions on transgender rights. Unfortunately, it won’t stop at just bathroom access.
Protecting Woman’s Private Spaces Act: The irony of “Women’s only spaces.”
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson has also supported plans to ban transgender women from using female bathrooms on Capitol Hill. He stated that all single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings will be reserved for individuals based on their biological sex. These facilities include restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms. Johnson also pointed out that each Member’s office has its own private restroom and that unisex restrooms are available throughout the Capitol.
He concluded by asserting, “Women deserve women’s only spaces.“
The main problem is that Johnson’s statement, made on Transgender Day of Remembrance, is deeply troubling. A day meant to honour the lives of transgender people who have been victims of anti-trans violence. On a day dedicated to remembering those lost to violence and hate, his words only create more division. That also makes it harder for trans women to feel safe and valued.
The most ironic part is Johnson saying, “Women deserve women’s only spaces.” At the same time, whenever women try to create a safe space, there are countless efforts to destroy it. The truth is that most women want women-only spaces to be free from harassment. Women want real consequences when someone behaves inappropriately, not to be pushed into a “women’s section” for their own so-called “safety.” Instead of addressing the real issues, those in power are using women as pawns in a culture war.
What are we really fighting for through the “Protecting Woman’s Private Spaces Act”
The reason behind the bill, according to officials in their statements, is to protect women. They claim that women are vulnerable and at risk in private spaces. Yet, a man found guilty of sexual abuse is set to be president, and there is little to no attention given to this reality.
Not to mention, how will this even be enforced? Does it mean women will have to dress a certain way, talk, eat, or speak a certain way to use women’s restrooms? It raises serious questions about what qualifies as “authentically” women and how far these restrictions will go in policing women’s identities.
There are much bigger issues to address. Why not focus on reproductive rights, access to medical care, and education, issues that women have been fighting for? These are the real struggles that affect women every day, not something like who uses which restroom, which does nothing to improve women’s well-being.
As Sarah McBride wisely put it, “I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and bring down costs facing families. I will follow the rules as outlined by Speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.”
The final thoughts
The claim “women deserve women’s only spaces” sounds like it is meant to protect women. The idea behind the bill seems to prioritise protecting one group of women (cisgender women). Unfortunately, it denies the right to safety and inclusion to another group (transgender women). Why are we still overlooking the harsh reality that transgender women also face harassment and discrimination?
Transgender women, like cisgender women, deserve safe spaces too. So, while the proposed bill argues for protecting women, it actually denies safety and inclusion to transgender women.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content, which we define broadly to include media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and gender-queer individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
