TL;DR
- Idaho’s HB752 criminalizes trans individuals in bathrooms.
- Nikson Mathews shares their personal struggle.
- The bill forces trans people to choose between jail and violence.
- Supporters of the bill pose threats to trans safety.
- 23 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have passed in Idaho since 2020.
If Republicans have their way, “every single day, when I am out in public, I have to ask myself, do I feel like going to jail, or do I feel like being attacked?” This is the stark reality for me, Nikson Mathews, a transgender man living in Idaho, as I stand against the harshest bathroom bill in the nation, HB752. This bill, if passed, would criminalize trans individuals simply for existing in a bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. It’s a terrifying proposition that forces me to navigate a world where my very presence could lead to a year in jail—just for washing my hands.
As I testify against this bill, I remind legislators that I am their constituent, a proud trans Idahoan, and I will not be silenced. But the truth is, being trans in Idaho is a daily struggle. If I use the men’s bathroom, I risk being reported or arrested. If I use the women’s bathroom, I risk violence. I’ve been told, “Just use the men’s bathroom, no one will know you’re trans,” but that ignores the reality of my life. I can’t predict who might recognize me, and more importantly, it shouldn’t matter. No one should have to prove they belong in a bathroom.
This bill doesn’t just target me; it threatens the safety of everyone. During the debate, a representative made it clear that he would take matters into his own hands if he saw someone he perceived to be a man in the women’s bathroom. This kind of rhetoric fuels violence and creates an environment where no one feels safe. The supporters of this bill are oblivious to the fact that many cisgender women have also faced harassment simply because they don’t conform to traditional gender norms.
I’ve lived my truth openly. I was the first out trans person to serve in the Idaho Senate, yet I still find myself terrified of using the bathroom. Last year, while subbing in the Senate, I dehydrated myself to avoid using the men’s bathroom. I was a 41-year-old adult, serving in a legislative capacity, and I was scared to use the bathroom. This is what being trans in Idaho looks like.
Since 2020, Idaho has passed 23 bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community, with 17 specifically aimed at trans individuals. Each bill chips away at our rights and pushes us further into the shadows. The choice is clear: risk imprisonment or risk violence. I’m angry, I’m scared, but most of all, I’m exhausted. Yet, no matter how many bills they pass, they will never take away my pride. I will always be proud of who I am and who I represent.
As I continue to fight against HB752 and similar legislation, I hold on to the hope that one day, we will live in a world where being true to ourselves doesn’t come with the threat of jail time or violence. Until then, I will keep standing up and speaking out for my community and for my right to exist safely in public spaces.