Republicans love to churn false hysteria over trans folks, especially when it comes to trans adults being villainous predators. Conservatives paint a sadly familiar (and false) picture: Trans people “pretend” to be who they are in order to access spaces not intended for them and use that opportunity to prey on vulnerable people, like women and children. This scenario is used often when it comes to youth playing sports or attending school field trips—where a trans youth will sleep, for example, or which locker room they’re allowed to use—as well as for both youth and adults when it comes to using public facilities, like restrooms.
The reality is, however, that trans people are much more likely to be the victims of violence than cisgender people. Some trans folks are especially vulnerable to violence based on intersecting identities; trans sex workers of color, for example, are especially susceptible to brutality and harassment from the police.
As reported by local outlet WXIX, a 20-year-old trans man is sharing his story about trying to use the restroom while camping in Camden, Ohio. Noah Ruiz tells the outlet he was beaten (and later arrested) for using the women’s bathroom … which he says he used after being told to do so by the campground’s owner.
RELATED: Trans folks seeking gender-affirming care often have to leave the state to get it—and pay more
Campaign Action
According to Ruiz, he and his girlfriend used the women’s bathroom while camping on July 3 at Cross’s Campground. Ruiz explains to the outlet another woman in the bathroom started shouting and cursing, asking who was in there and saying “no man” should be in that bathroom.
Ruiz says he explained to the woman that he is transgender but had been told to use the women’s bathroom. After exiting the bathroom, however, Ruiz says three large men violently attacked him. Ruiz says they “grabbed” him off the ground, “choked” him, and threatened to kill him. Ruiz says he suffered wounds including bruises and cuts from the assault.
In the end, Ruiz was arrested by Preble County sheriff's deputies when they arrived in the area. He was arrested on counts of obstructing official business and disorderly conduct. The sheriff was reportedly not aware of the assault Ruiz suffered at the time of his arrest but found him to be belligerent and intoxicated.
At this point, Ruiz says he wants accountability. He filed an assault report with the sheriff's office but no charges have yet been filed. The office is looking for the alleged assailants.
This situation is obviously horrifying in itself but the big picture is even more concerning. This scenario could easily replicate, thanks to conservatives pushing ‘Don’t Say Gay’ legislation which urges educators to essentially monitor the gender performance and presentation of youth and report them to their parents.
And of course, when it comes to the anti-trans sports bills, the same can happen, especially with fellow kids and their parents being able to “question” anyone’s gender identity if they suspect they’re trans. It’s an absolute nightmare in all directions.
The GOP wants, of course, to force people into the closet and require everyone to present in the cisnormative and heteronormative standards conservatives prefer. But the anti-queer rhetoric they’re using in hopes of getting votes could get people seriously hurt—or even killed.