The national debate over transgender bathrooms will take center stage in a TV spot to be aired during the Republican and Democratic National conventions.
The new ad called “Restaurant” will debut on Thursday July 21st during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on FOX news. The new ad depicts the challenges faced by transgender people in accessing public restrooms. It also highlights the lack of state and federal nondiscrimination protections for transgender people. It will also air a week later on MSNBC for the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
“It can be hard to understand what it means to be transgender, especially if you’ve never met a transgender person.”
The spot features Alaina Kupec, who is a transgender woman from North Carolina. The state also happens to be where the controversial “HB2” law was enacted, denying transgender citizens in the state access to restrooms that are congruent with their gender identity. “It can be hard to understand what it means to be transgender, especially if you’ve never met a transgender person.” says Kupec in the ad. “In most states, our laws don’t protect transgender people from discrimination in public places or when it comes to using the restroom, something we all need to do every day.”
Donald Trump has recently gone back and forth regarding where he stands on transgender issues and laws such as HB2. Hillary Clinton has been outspoken about her support for transgender rights.
The advertisement was placed by Fairness USA, a joint project of the Freedom for All Americans Education Fund, the Movement Advancement Project (which created the ad), the National Center for Transgender Equality, and the Equality Ohio Education Fund, with support from the Equality Federation Institute, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
