Trans Woman Arrested In Florida For Attempting To Wash Her Hands In Women’s Bathroom
A 20-year-old trans woman found herself behind bars after using a women’s bathroom to wash her hands at the Florida Capitol. This marks the first known arrest under Florida’s controversial bathroom ban law.
Who Was Arrested and Why?
Marcy Rheintgen, a university student from Illinois, was taken into custody by Florida Capitol police on 19 March. Her crime? Using a women’s bathroom to wash her hands. The arrest came after Rheintgen told state officials that she planned to use the facilities as a form of protest against the state’s 2023 bathroom bill.
The law in question, HB 1521 (also known as the Facility Requirements Based on Sex bill), makes it a crime for people to use single-sex spaces that don’t match their sex assigned at birth. Under this law, trans women cannot legally use women’s bathrooms in the state.
The Planned Protest That Led to Arrest
Before her visit to the Capitol, Rheintgen sent letters to Florida officials. In these letters, she clearly stated her intentions to use a specific women’s bathroom on 19 March. She even included a photo of herself so officials could identify her.
In her letter, Rheintgen wrote: “I know that you know in your heart that this law is wrong and unjust. I know that you know in your heart that transgender people are human too, and you can’t arrest us away.”
She added with confidence: “I know that you know that I have dignity. That’s why I know that you won’t arrest me.”
Despite her hopes, when the day came, two officers met Rheintgen outside the bathroom. They tried to stop her, but she entered anyway. Police then arrested her on trespassing charges.
What Happens Next for Rheintgen?
The trespassing charge Rheintgen faces is a second-degree misdemeanour in Florida. This offence can result in up to 60 days in jail. She was released after 24 hours in custody, but her legal troubles aren’t over.
Now back at university, Rheintgen must find a way to return to Florida for future court hearings. The Miami Herald reports that Rheintgen, who calls herself a moderate conservative, now regrets her decision. She didn’t truly believe she would be arrested.
“Everything that is politics seems very abstract and philosophical from far away,” Rheintgen told the Herald. “This is the first time it’s really affected me. I got arrested and I got sent to jail because of Gov. (Ron) DeSantis’ policies – like that’s crazy, that’s crazy!”
On 2 April, Rheintgen posted on Twitter/X: “I actually didn’t think as many people would see the article as actually did.” Online supporters have suggested she start a GoFundMe page or contact groups like the ACLU for legal help.
Florida’s Growing Anti-LGBTQIA+ Legislation
The bathroom ban that led to Rheintgen’s arrest is part of a larger pattern in Florida. Lawmakers passed this ban at the same time they expanded the controversial “Don’t Say Gay” law (officially called The Parental Rights in Education Act).
The expanded law now bans “classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity” for students up to eighth grade. The original 2022 bill only covered students up to third grade.
Additionally, the new rules force teachers to use only the pronouns listed on students’ birth certificates.
