People watching the Republican National Convention on FOX News might be surprised by an advertisement from gay rights groups. FairnessUSA made a minute-long video ad promoting transgender people's freedom to use the bathroom.
Watch the video:
This groundbreaking new ad depicts the challenges faced by transgender people in accessing public restrooms—and highlights the lack of state and federal nondiscrimination protections for transgender people. The ad will have its national TV debut on FOX News Channel next Thursday, July 21, during the final night of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. It will air nationwide again on MSNBC during the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia one week later.
"I'm a transgender woman," Alaina Kupec says in a voiceover. "I was born in a male body, but inside I always knew I was female."
The video shows Kupec in a restaurant when suddenly the trans woman has to use the restroom. A restaurant employee follows Kupec to the bathroom to make sure Kupec uses the men's room. Men are seen looking out of the bathroom in disgust, while the narrator explains that transgender people fear harassment and violence. Some friendly women appear and immediately seem eager to let Kupec use the women's room. Kupec enters the bathroom with the women and the ad ends.
The TV spot was paid for by The Movement Advancement Project, Freedom For All Americans Education Fund, The National Center For Transgender Equality, and Equality Ohio Education Fund.
Kupec is a resident of North Carolina, where bathrooms became a battleground in May because people must use the restroom corresponding to the gender on their birth certificate.