Transgender student's arrest under Florida bathroom law may be first of its kind

A transgender college student, Marcy Rheintgen, was arrested last month for entering a women's restroom at the Florida State Capitol—an act that civil rights attorneys say marks the first known arrest under transgender bathroom laws passed in multiple US states.

Before being detained, 20-year-old Rheintgen declared, "I am here to break the law," as she entered the building in Tallahassee on 19 March. Capitol police, who had been alerted in advance, warned her she would face a trespass notice if she proceeded into the restroom. According to an arrest affidavit, Rheintgen entered to wash her hands and pray the rosary, and was arrested after refusing to leave.

She has been charged with misdemeanor trespassing, an offense that carries a penalty of up to 60 days in jail. A court appearance is scheduled for May.

"I wanted people to see how absurd this law is in practice," Rheintgen told the Associated Press. "If I'm a criminal now, just for washing my hands, how am I supposed to live a normal life? It's ridiculous."

At least 14 US states have enacted laws barring transgender women from using women's bathrooms in public schools and some government facilities. But only Florida and Utah impose criminal penalties for violations. A similar law in Montana was temporarily blocked by a judge this week.

According to Jon Davidson, senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, Rheintgen's case is the first known arrest under such criminal provisions.

Rheintgen, who was visiting her grandparents in Florida, said she sent letters to all 160 Florida lawmakers ahead of her protest, informing them of her intentions. She said her civil disobedience was fueled by disappointment in how the state she frequently visits has become increasingly unwelcoming to transgender people.

In her message to lawmakers, Rheintgen wrote, "I know that you know in your heart that this law is wrong and unjust. I know that you know that transgender people are human too, and that you can't arrest us away."

The incident underscores the difficulty states are facing in enforcing transgender restroom laws. Several states — including Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, and North Dakota — have passed such measures without specifying how they would be enforced. Others, like Utah, rely on reports from the public, though activists there have swamped tip lines with fake submissions in protest.

Florida lawmakers behind the bill, Representative Rachel Plakon and Senator Erin Grall, did not respond to requests for comment. They have previously defended the law as a means to safeguard women and girls in gender-segregated spaces.

Critics, however, argue the law endangers transgender individuals and fosters invasive behavior.

"This arrest isn't about safety," said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida. "It's about cruelty, humiliation, and systematically stripping people of dignity. Transgender people have been using restrooms matching their gender for generations without incident. What's new is this wave of laws designed to push them out of public life."

Rheintgen said she's deeply anxious about the legal consequences. If convicted, she fears being jailed with men, having her hair cut, and being temporarily cut off from her hormone treatment.

"People are calling this a test case," she said. "But I didn't do it to challenge the law—I did it because I was upset. I honestly don't know what to expect. It's terrifying."

[Source: With input from agency]