Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C), who led the effort to ban transgender women from using female restrooms at the Capitol, referred to herself as “pro-transgender rights” just last year, according to CNN’s KFILE.
In July 2023, Mace said she not only supports transgender rights but also support children exploring their identities, such as by changing pronouns, hairstyles or clothing.
“I’m pro-transgender rights,” Mace told CBS News’ The Takeout. “I’m pro-LGBTQ.”
Mace added that she opposed gender-affirming care for minors but if children “want to take on a different pronoun or a different gender identity, or grow their hair out, or wear a dress, or wear pants, or do those things as a minor, those are all things that I think most people would support. Be who you want to be, but don’t make those permanent changes when it’s a child.”
“They may decide as an adult, ‘Hey, instead of being Johnny, I want to be Jill’ — that’s OK,” she said. “But let them figure that out and make that decision when they can consent.”
The resurfaced comments come as Mace introduced a resolution to ban transgender lawmakers from using restrooms at the U.S. Capitol that correspond to their gender identity.
The move was in response to Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Delaware) becoming the first openly transgender lawmaker elected to Congress. She is set to assume office in January.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced a new policy last week stating that all single-sex facilities in the Capitol building could only used for “individuals of that biological sex” effectively barring McBride from using the women’s restroom.
In a statement, McBride said she will follow the rules outlined by Johnson even though she disagrees.
“I am not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down cost facing families,” McBride wrote. “Like all members I will follow the rules as outlined by speaker Johnson, even if I disagree with them.”
Asked about the interview in which she claimed to be “pro-transgender rights,” Mace told CNN: “Voted for gay marriage twice. Would do it again. Have supported pro LGBTQ legislation. Draw the line at women being forced to undress in front of men or men using our bathrooms or any private spaces.”
