In a political climate where transgender rights are increasingly weaponized by lawmakers seeking to shore up partisan support, a recent incident involving Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) and a foster care advocate underscores the stakes for the transgender community and their allies. The events that unfolded on Capitol Hill—centered around a handshake that escalated into criminal charges—have raised pressing questions about who gets believed, how violence is defined, and how certain narratives can be weaponized against communities already under siege.
On Tuesday evening, U.S. Capitol Police arrested James McIntyre, a 33-year-old foster care advocate from Illinois, following allegations by Rep. Mace that he “accosted” her. Mace claimed that McIntyre, who she described as a “pro-trans man,” aggressively grabbed her arm, injuring her wrist and arm. According to her statement, this alleged assault occurred after she delivered remarks at an event honoring the 25th anniversary of the Foster Care Independence Act in the Rayburn House Office Building.
Mace promptly took to social media, posting photos with her arm in a sling and calling attention to what she framed as an attack tied to her recent efforts to bar transgender women from women’s restrooms on Capitol Hill and, eventually, in all federal buildings. She thanked former President Donald Trump for calling to check on her and doubled down on her stance against trans-inclusive policies. She also referenced “the radical Left” and framed the incident as part of a broader pattern of intimidation.
Yet, multiple eyewitnesses at the event contradict Mace’s account. Three attendees—a combination of current and former foster youth and LGBTQ advocates—told national child welfare news outlet The Imprint that what they saw was an entirely different scenario. By their testimony, McIntyre approached Mace, offered a handshake, and calmly asked her to consider the rights and well-being of transgender foster youth. Then he sat back down. There was no visible aggression, certainly no flailing arms or forced interaction. About a half-hour later, one of Mace’s staffers reportedly returned to the room, asked McIntyre for his name and for him to repeat what he had said. Not long after, Capitol Police arrived, questioned McIntyre, and arrested him. He was later charged with assaulting a public official, but pleaded not guilty and was released with conditions.
Disavowing Violence, Supporting Truth
To be clear, Transvitae.com stands firmly against all forms of violence. We “believe all women,” understanding the deeply rooted historical contexts in which women’s claims of harm have often been dismissed or disbelieved. At the same time, we recognize that claims of violence—particularly those leveling blame at marginalized communities—must be carefully scrutinized. Any violence, real or alleged, will be weaponized against the transgender community by those who are already seeking to roll back our basic human rights. Especially when it appears Republicans and conservative governments around the world are taking pains to deny healthcare, revoke legal protections, and undermine the dignity of transgender individuals, it is critical that our community stands on a foundation of nonviolence, truth, and empathy.
The Nancy Mace incident arrives amid a swirl of recent anti-trans activity in Washington. Mace has been spearheading a crusade to bar transgender women from using women’s restrooms in the Capitol, a move that followed the historic election of Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-DE), who will become the nation’s first openly transgender member of Congress in January. With a national Republican Party increasingly reliant on anti-trans rhetoric and policies to energize its base, Mace’s actions can be seen as part of a coordinated strategy. She introduced a measure to prevent transgender women from using the women’s restroom on Capitol Hill—and, more recently, expanded that push to include all federal facilities. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has enforced rules limiting bathroom access based on so-called “biological sex,” directly targeting McBride and other transgender individuals who visit or work in the legislative branch.
A Shifting Stance: Nancy Mace’s Anti-Trans Pivot
This marks a stark and deeply troubling turn for Mace. As recently as a year ago, she publicly identified as “pro-transgender rights” and emphasized the importance of compassion. In interviews, Mace pointed out that conservatives could—and should—show love and empathy toward people of all identities. Yet over the past several months, this tone has shifted dramatically. By leaning into anti-trans rhetoric, Mace has fueled the notion that transgender women pose a threat in women’s spaces, a trope that is as baseless as it is dangerous. Empirical data and research from advocacy organizations consistently show that transgender people are far more likely to be victims of violence in public accommodations than perpetrators.
Moreover, Mace’s comments have often crossed the line into slurs and dehumanizing language. Posts on social media have been flagged for hateful conduct. While she claims her crusade is about protecting women, critics point out this push appears more like a calculated political move—one designed to rally conservative media attention, secure “tough on culture wars” credentials, and shore up her political brand. Even Mace’s former communications director publicly expressed disappointment, suggesting that rather than pushing symbolic bathroom bans aimed at transgender women, Mace’s energy might be better spent addressing genuinely harmful behavior within Congress itself.
Weaponizing Fear: The Broader Republican Strategy
The broader context cannot be ignored: Republicans have increasingly targeted transgender rights as a wedge issue, hoping to capitalize on fear and misinformation. The 2024 election cycle looms, and the GOP appears poised to double down on culture war issues it believes can gin up votes. Polling and recent election analyses suggest they hope this anti-trans narrative will resonate with certain voter blocs. Tragically, these tactics come at the expense of real human beings—transgender people, including those who are children in foster care, simply trying to live their lives in dignity and safety.
It is not just lawmakers’ words and bills that cause harm. The portrayal of transgender people as inherently suspicious, dangerous, or predatory feeds into a broader environment of hostility. Already vulnerable individuals—transgender youth experiencing foster care, for example—face even greater stigma. Advocates like McIntyre have dedicated their lives to highlighting the needs of these young people, who are too often overlooked. Their calls for lawmakers to ensure transgender foster youth receive the support and care they deserve are now being twisted into acts of supposed violence.
It’s also worth pointing out how claims of harm are being selectively amplified. In a Congress that includes figures facing much more serious allegations—such as sexual misconduct or actual violent threats—Mace’s immediate and highly public response to this alleged assault draws scrutiny. If “protecting women” were truly her foremost priority, critics argue, she might look inward at her own party, where some members have been credibly accused of predatory behavior. Instead, Mace’s focus remains laser-locked on transgender women, perpetuating harmful myths and ignoring the reality that trans people are not a physical threat to anyone.
Nonviolence as a Foundational Principle
For readers of Transvitae.com—transgender individuals, their families, and their allies—this incident is both familiar and painful. We are used to being misrepresented. We are used to having our motives questioned. We are used to constant legislative attempts to curtail our existence and freedom. And when violence, whether real or fabricated, is invoked against us, we know that it will be used as a blunt instrument to justify yet more repression, more suspicion, and more dangerous rhetoric.
We must be clear: Violence in protest, activism, or advocacy is never justified. Our fight for transgender rights, dignity, and inclusion must remain grounded in nonviolent principles. There is too much at stake—our livelihoods, safety, and futures—to allow one narrative of alleged violence to overshadow or justify continued attacks on our community. We have seen how easily misinformation spreads, how quickly political figures and media allies seize on any chance to depict us as dangerous. We must remain vigilant, truthful, and compassionate, upholding our values even in the face of hostility.
Meanwhile, allies and supporters can remind the world that transgender people are whole, real individuals who deserve respect, legal protections, and accurate representation. We are not a political football to be kicked around for votes. The transgender community, including youth in foster care, needs understanding and structural support, not demonization.
The Bottom Line
In the coming weeks and months, as Sarah McBride takes office and the Republican majority steps up its attacks, we can expect more rhetorical battles. The best countermeasure is truth, consistency, and a firm stand on principle. We must call out bad faith—yes—but without stooping to the level of those who misuse claims of harm to justify discrimination. We must expose contradictions where they arise, as Mace’s sudden anti-trans pivot shows. We must hold ourselves and others accountable, ensuring that the pursuit of justice is never tainted by violent tactics.
At Transvitae.com, we remain committed to reporting these events honestly and empathetically. We condemn violence unequivocally. We support transgender rights as human rights. We believe all women who report harm must be taken seriously, but we also believe in the importance of evidence, the risk of politically motivated claims, and the responsibility to protect marginalized communities from being further dehumanized and targeted.
The Nancy Mace incident is a reminder that the struggle for transgender equality is ongoing, delicate, and urgent. Our fight continues, grounded in truth and nonviolence, and bolstered by a community that values compassion and understanding—even when confronting blatant political opportunism.
