I recently had an experience in a public restroom that left me feeling uncomfortable and concerned for the privacy and safety of everyone, especially children. A person who transitioned from female to male entered the men’s bathroom. While I respect individuals’ rights to express their gender identity, having someone who is biologically female in the men’s restroom can feel inappropriate and intrusive, particularly for parents with young children.

This incident highlights the pressing need for a clear federal law that restricts bathroom access based on biological sex rather than gender identity. Allowing individuals to choose which restroom to use based on gender identity raises safety and privacy concerns, especially for children who may be vulnerable or feel uncomfortable in these situations. Families should not have to worry about their kids’ safety or privacy while simply using public facilities.

While it is important to respect transgender individuals, we must also protect the comfort, privacy, and security of children, families, and other restroom users. Studies, including research from the UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute, show that transgender people face discrimination in public spaces, but these concerns should be addressed without compromising the safety and privacy of children and families.

A practical solution would include:

• Creating unisex or family restrooms that provide safe access for all individuals.
• Implementing policies that require restroom use based on biological sex for standard gendered facilities.

By taking these steps, we can ensure that public restrooms remain safe, private, and comfortable for everyone — especially for children and families.

We urge legislators to consider the diverse perspectives on this issue and enact a federal law that clearly defines restroom access based on biological sex, while providing alternatives to protect transgender individuals. Please join me in signing this petition to help create a safer, more respectful society for all.