The Tampa Bay Times says that last month, a transgender woman was arrested at the Florida State Capitol building when she tried to use the women’s bathroom. It’s possible that this is the first arrest made under state rules that say transgender people can’t use the bathroom or other facilities that match their gender identity.
Marcy Rheintgen, 20, from Illinois, was arrested by Capital police and charged with trespassing when she tried to use the bathroom for women at the State Capitol building. In order to make the act a symbolic protest, the transgender college student told cops and politicians about it ahead of time, sent them a picture of her ID, and told them which bathroom she planned to use.
He wrote in the letter, “I know that deep down you know that this law is wrong and unfair.” “I know that deep down you understand that transgender people are also people, and you can’t jail us.”
On March 19, police met her at the Capitol and tried to talk her out of her plans. Instead of going to the bathroom, Rheintgen tried to use the bathroom and was arrested.
At first, the police told Rheintgen they would only give her a warning to appear in court and let her go. Then, when she got “sassy,” they said she wasn’t fit to be released and arrested her because they thought she would try to use the bathroom again, according to the arrest document.
Rheintgen was jailed for the night and was freed the next morning. The Times writes that she said she didn’t think she would get arrested and now feels bad about it.
Rheintgen said, “From far away, everything that is political seems very vague and philosophical.” “This is the first time it’s really made me feel something.” I was caught and sent to jail because of Gov. DeSantis’s rules! That’s crazy, that’s crazy!”
Florida has passed a number of “don’t say gay” laws that are against LGBTQ+ people. One of these laws says that transgender people can’t use the bathrooms, changing rooms, or bed areas that match their gender identity in government buildings or other public places.
