Opinion: Righteous Rage, Not Passive Humor Needed to Defend Transgender Rights, Rev. Kerri Allen.
The ink was barely dry on the headlines celebrating Congresswoman Sarah McBride’s (D-DE) historic election as the first transgender woman in Congress when the GOP rolled out their anti-trans narrative: bathroom hysteria. Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) wasted no time introducing a resolution to bar people from using restrooms that don’t match the sex assigned at birth—a move that is both tired and harmful. And just as predictably, progressives took the bait, diving headfirst into the Right’s manufactured bathroom debate instead of resetting the conversation altogether. We don't just fall into their trap—we actively construct the cage ourselves.
When it comes to this political and cultural discourse, the conversative movement has demonstrated a remarkable ability to control narratives, framing issues in ways that often obscure their true intentions and underlying agendas. Their current tactic is not about bathrooms—it never has been. Instead, it is about weaponizing dehumanization. By perpetuating baseless fears and stigmas, conservatives systematically strip transgender people of their humanity, framing them as societal “others” to justify their discrimination.
Reactionary political movements have long used dehumanization as a weapon for othering entire groups, stripping them of dignity, respect, and fundamental rights. This tactic thrives on distraction, shifting focus away from the real issue—affirming the rights and humanity of trans people—by manufacturing controversies designed to inflame and divide. Congresswoman Mace’s fixation on bathrooms isn’t just misguided; it’s a calculated tactic. By reducing the lives of trans people to a single inflammatory issue, the GOP and conservatives can exploit fear and ignorance to stoke a baseless moral panic.
Claims about safety and privacy lack any credible evidence, functioning instead as a rhetorical smokescreen for intolerance. In recent years, debates over restroom access for transgender individuals have intensified, often fueled by fears of safety and privacy violations and violence against women. However, incidents with transgender perpetrators in restrooms, locker rooms, and dressing rooms remain exceedingly rare.[1] In reality, most sexual assaults—eight out of ten—are committed by someone known to the victim. [2] Portraying transgender individuals as threats or anomalies is not only dishonest but also a deliberate act of dehumanization, weaponized to justify systemic discrimination on a larger scale.
When it comes to trans rights, progressives must do better at confronting this debasing strategy head-on—not by getting trapped on the playing field of the Right and GOP’s contrived debates, but by reframing the conversation to focus on what truly matters: affirming the inherent dignity, worth, and thereby, the humanity of every person. This means that while the GOP fixates on a manufactured threat tied to bathrooms, it’s not enough for progressives to simply shout, “I don’t care what bathroom you use!” Of course, we care. Progressives care deeply that trans people are treated with humanity and respect, which necessarily means the basic right to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.
To be clear, this campaign of degradation is not merely a political strategy; it is a profound moral crisis. As a Christian minister, it is especially disheartening that such rhetoric is often cloaked in the language of religious faith. Christians must not surrender the richness of the faith tradition to those who prioritized it’s weaponization to further as exclusivist agenda. For those who identify as Christians, we are called to stand boldly and unapologetically in affirming the principles of the Judeo-Christian tradition—not just in words, but through courageous action. At the core of this tradition is the Imago Dei—the belief that every person is created in the image of God, endowed with equal and incontrovertible worth. This belief is affirmed by rejecting any narrative that dehumanizes or diminishes others by firming calling out the dehumanization, affirming that we do care and continuously demanding the civil and human rights of trans people. The Imago Dei demands recognition of the sacred worth of every individual, transcending political and cultural divides. It also compels us to call out debates about bathrooms and similar distractions for what they truly are: an assault on human dignity. Progressives must reject dehumanization and embrace the affirmation of our shared humanity through tireless action.
It's time to change the narrative—from debating bathroom access to tackling the real issue: Are we ready to demonstrate profound courage for what is right and lead the recognition and affirmation of the humanity, dignity, and worth of every person? Rather than getting mired in the noise of fabricated controversies, we must stand resolute in this fundamental truth: People are not monsters or political pawns—they are human beings, inherently deserving of love, respect, and equal rights. The fight isn’t about their existence; it’s about whether we have the courage to defend their humanity. Let’s refocus and lead with that unapologetic clarity.
Reclaiming the narrative is not just about countering whatever the unfounded rhetoric of the day is—it demands concrete action. We must actively affirm the humanity of trans people in every sphere of life by advocating for policies that protect their rights, ensuring equitable access to healthcare, and supporting trans ability to live and express their gender identity freely and without fear of discrimination or violence. Reclaiming the narrative also means challenging systems of oppression that seek to marginalize and erase trans lives. It demands that we stand up against harmful legislation and cultural narratives that dehumanize, and instead, amplify the voices and experiences of trans individuals. It requires us to weave care into the very fabric of our actions by boldly and unequivocally declaring that every person deserves access to basic civil rights—not as a privilege to be earned, but as an inherent entitlement rooted in the intrinsic worth of every human being.
Obsession about bathrooms isn’t just an isolated issue—it’s a calculated move in a broader campaign to dehumanize anyone who doesn’t conform to a rigid and exclusionary vision of society. This isn’t about privacy or safety; it’s about control, fear, and erasure. By reframing the conversation to center on the humanity and dignity of trans people, we expose the emptiness of their arguments and lay the foundation for a more inclusive and compassionate society. What’s at stake here is far greater than a political win—it’s about affirming the sacred worth of every individual. It’s about rejecting the fear-mongering and divisive narratives designed to fracture our communities and instead embracing a vision of justice rooted in love, mutual respect, and human flourishing. By reclaiming this narrative, we boldly declare that every person, regardless of gender identity, deserves dignity, respect, and the freedom to live authentically.
Reverend Kerri N. Allen is a minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and serves as a strategic advisor and project manager in seminary education. Prior to transitioning to higher education, Kerri held the position of Vice President of Mission and Spiritual Care and Ethics Director at Advocate Health in the Midwest. A Reformed and Womanist theologian, her work centers on the experiences of Black women and historically disenfranchised communities.
[1] Amira Hasenbush, Andrew R. Flores, & Jody L. Herman, "Gender Identity Nondiscrimination Laws in Public Accommodations: A Review of Evidence Regarding Safety and Privacy in Public Restrooms, Locker Rooms, and Changing Rooms," Sexuality Research and Social Policy 16, no. 1 (2019): 70–83, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-018-0335-z.
[2] Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), "Perpetrators of Sexual Violence: Statistics," accessed January 2025, https://rainn.org/statistics/perpetrators-sexual-violence.