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Arrest of Marcy Rheintgen

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Marcy Rheintgen
A headshot of a tearful Rheintgen against a gray background
Rheintgen's mug shot
Born2004/2005 (age 20–21)[1]
OccupationCollege student
Known forFirst person to be arrested under Florida’s controversial Facility Requirements Based on Sex Act, for washing her hands in a women's bathroom at the State Capitol

Marcy Rheintgen (/ˈræŋk.ɪn/ RANK-in;[2] born 2004/2005[1]), an American college student, was arrested and jailed on March 19, 2025, for washing her hands in a women's bathroom in the Florida State Capitol.[3][1] She was arrested under Florida's anti-trans bathroom law, Facility Requirements Based on Sex Act, because she used a women's bathroom as a transgender woman.[4][5] She is believed to be the first person arrested under this law.[1][4]

Prosecution and reactions

One week before her arrest, Rheintgen sent around one hundred and sixty printed letters to Florida lawmakers informing them she planned to use the specific restroom in the Florida State Capitol on March 19 in protest of the Facility Requirements Based on Sex Act.[6] She also included a photograph of herself for identification.[4][7] She wrote in the letter, "I know that you know in your heart that transgender people are human too, and you can't arrest us away."[3]

She was accompanied to the Capitol building by Tampa Bay Times reporter Romy Ellenbogen. Outside the bathroom, two police officers warned her not to enter. She told the police that she was visiting to "break the law", then entered the bathroom and washed her hands.[8][5] The police handcuffed and arrested her inside the bathroom after less than 60 seconds. They had told Rheintgen they planned to issue a Notice to Appear in court, but they arrested her, claiming that she did not meet the criteria for a Notice to Appear.[3]

Rheintgen was taken to Leon County Detention Facility, where she was detained overnight. She was released after 24 hours for pretrial release.[1] She was charged with a second-degree trespassing misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail.[4] The police affidavit uses her birth name and male pronouns. She is due to appear in court in May 2025.[7] Rheintgen's arrest was criticized the following week by executive director Nadine Smith of Equality Florida. Smith stated that the implementation of the law did not promote public safety, but abuse against trans women.[3]

Personal life

Rheintgen is a college student and Illinois resident; she has called Florida her "home away from home".[1] Although Ellenbogen's reporting described her as a moderate conservative,[4][9] Rheintgen later clarified that she holds centrist values.[4][10] She considers the actress Hunter Schafer as a personal hero who inspired her to challenge the Facility Requirements Based on Sex Act after Schafer was issued a male passport despite being a woman.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Ellenbogen, Romy (April 1, 2025). "Trans protestor arrested after washing hands in a Florida Capitol women's bathroom". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  2. ^ "They Arrested Her For Washing Her Hands" (video). youtube.com. May 2, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Hawkinson, Katie (April 1, 2025). "Trans protester arrested after washing her hands in Florida Capitol women's bathroom". The Independent. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Perry, Sophie (April 3, 2025). "'I'm willing to suffer for rights', says trans woman arrested for washing hands in women's bathroom". PinkNews. Archived from the original on April 8, 2025. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c Holpuch, Amanda (April 7, 2025). "Transgender Woman Arrested After Using Bathroom at Florida State Capitol". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  6. ^ Ellenbogen, Romy; Ceballos, Ana (April 19, 2023). "Three bills affecting the LGBTQ+ community pass the Florida House". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  7. ^ a b Schoenbaum, Hannah (April 3, 2025). "Transgender student's arrest for violating Florida bathroom law is thought to be a first". The Associated Press. Retrieved May 10, 2025.
  8. ^ Sprayregen, Molly (April 2, 2025). "Trans woman arrested for washing her hands in a women's bathroom". LGBTQ Nation. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  9. ^ Ellenbogen, Romy (April 1, 2025). "Trans woman arrested for using women's restroom in Florida Capitol". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  10. ^ "Trans, Catholic, and Arrested for Using a Bathroom - Interviewing Marcy Rheintgen". Dead Domain. April 10, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025 – via YouTube.
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