An Anti-Trans Bathroom Bill With a Cruel New Twist

In Kansas, the latest anti-trans legislation has taken a disturbing new turn: a bounty hunter provision. This law allows private citizens to sue and seek financial rewards if they claim to encounter a transgender person in a bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.

The bill's vague language raises concerns about its reach beyond public buildings. Erin Reed, a journalist and trans rights advocate, notes that the law would effectively create a national "bathroom ban" by empowering bounty hunters to search for transgender people in private spaces.

Under this provision, individuals can file civil suits against trans people for alleged damages of at least $1,000. This means that trans individuals could face financial repercussions if they are simply using a restroom that aligns with their identity.

Kansas Republicans passed the law as part of a broader package targeting transgender individuals, including strict ID laws and bathroom bans. The new legislation is part of a disturbing trend of anti-trans measures in states across the country.

Democrats have largely failed to support pressure campaigns against these bills, leaving many trans individuals vulnerable to harassment and violence. It's time for Democrats to take action and stand up against these discriminatory laws that aim to create a climate of distrust and terror for transgender people.

The Intercept has been reporting on the devastating impact of anti-trans legislation across the country. As we face an unprecedented attack on democracy, it's more important than ever to support independent journalism and grow our capacity to hold those in power accountable.

this is getting out of control in kansas they gotta do somethin about bounty hunters just chasin trans people around for $$$ its like a game of cat and mouse but really its life or death situation dont even get me started on democrats not doin enuf to stop these bills what are they even doin out there at least the intercept is reportin on this stuff

I'm literally livid about this new law in Kansas! Like, can't believe they're using bounty hunters to hunt down trans people just because they're trying to use a bathroom that matches who they are It's like, what's next? Are they gonna start paying ppl to report their friends for being LGBTQ+? This whole thing is so messed up and I'm seriously worried about the safety of trans ppl in Kansas. The fact that Democrats aren't doing more to stop these bills is just awful And yeah, it's all about creating a climate of distrust and terror... like, what even is this We need to stand together as a country and demand better for everyone, regardless of who they love or how they identify

this is so messed up what kind of world are we living in where ppl gotta worry about being sued just for existing?! its like theyre trying to make trans people feel like they cant even go to the bathroom without bein judged or harassed and i totally agree with erin reeds comment - this law is basically a national "bathroom ban" and its just so unfair that democrats arent doing enough to stop it

Ugh man... this is just like that time I was 16 and we had a similar law in California . Remember how it was all about "personal safety" but really it was just a way to kick trans kids out of their own schools? Fast forward to now and it's like the US is taking steps back into the dark ages... I'm really worried about trans people, especially in private spaces where they can't even be themselves without fear of harassment or financial ruin . What happened to equality and compassion, man?

[Image of a bathroom stall with a sign that says "GIRL" but there is no girl in it ]

can't believe what's going on in kansas rn , this bounty hunter provision is straight up terrifying... private citizens as vigilantes? no thanks , i'm all for protecting everyone's rights but this law just feels like a recipe for harassment & violence against trans ppl. democrats need to step up & take action ASAP , can't let these discriminatory laws run amok without consequences... gotta support the people who are fighting for their rights

omg this new law in kansas is literally terrifying like what kinda world are we living in where ppl can sue & get $$$ for just existing? and the fact that it's all about targeting trans people is so sad i feel like we're really losing our grip on being a fair society. as a fan of independent journalism, i'm actually super grateful for The Intercept's reporting on this stuff - they're literally doing some amazing work

I'm getting super worried about this new law in Kansas It's just not fair that trans people could be sued for using a restroom that feels right to them! I mean, who gets to decide what someone can or can't do in their own body? It's like they're saying "no" to being themselves and that's just heartbreaking .

And the fact that it's private citizens who get to decide this stuff is super sketchy. I don't want some random person trying to track down my friends and cause them harm just because of what bathroom we use! It's like, can't we all just get along and respect each other's differences?

I'm so tired of these discriminatory laws popping up left and right. We need to stand together and fight for equality and human rights. We can make a difference if we support our trans friends and allies and hold those in power accountable

This new law is just another example of how backwards thinking can lead to real world consequences ...I mean, what's next? Bounty hunters going door-to-door looking for trans people because they "encountered" them in a bathroom? That's just plain cruel and I don't think anyone should have to live with that fear. The fact that this law allows private citizens to sue for damages is also super concerning - it's like the government is saying, "Hey, we trust you guys to decide who is trans and who isn't." And if Democrats are really not standing up against these bills, then what's the point of even having a democratic process? It's time for some real leadership on this issue...

this is getting out of hand, i mean i get where ppl are comin from but bounty hunters in bathrooms? that's just too much, what's next? they're gonna start patrolling the streets for "suspicious" activity and fining people on sight . and $1k fines for using a restroom that matches your identity? that's just cruel, i feel so bad for all these trans ppl who are already goin thru so much just to exist . and what about the ppl who can't afford these "suits"? it's like they're tryna create a whole new class system based on who's got cash . and dont even get me started on democrats not speakin up, that just makes me wanna scream . someone needs to take a stand against this and make some real change .

I'm truly heartbroken to hear about this new development in Kansas . It's like they're taking a big ol' chunk of trust away from trans people, who are already struggling with their own identities. This bounty hunter provision is just crazy - it's like they're saying "you can't be yourself without fear of getting sued" . The idea that private citizens are being given the power to harass and financially ruin trans folks for using a restroom that aligns with their identity is just disgusting. And what really gets me is how Democrats seem to be MIA on this issue . It's like they're letting these laws slide by without any pushback, leaving vulnerable trans people hanging out there to get hurt. We need to do better as a society - we need to stand up for the rights of all individuals, no matter their identity. We can't let fear and hate win, not even when it comes in the form of some fancy-schmancy law .

This new law in Kansas is straight up messed up . I mean, can you imagine being a trans person and just wanting to use the restroom that aligns with your identity, but then some bounty hunter comes out of nowhere and starts harassing you? It's like, what even is this? The idea that private citizens can sue and get paid for finding trans people in bathrooms is just ridiculous . And the fact that it could lead to a national "bathroom ban" is just chilling . I'm not surprised that Democrats haven't been doing enough to push back against these bills, but it's time they stepped up their game . We need to be holding our politicians accountable for this kind of discriminatory behavior and supporting the trans community in any way we can . It's just not right that trans people are being left vulnerable to harassment and violence because of the lack of support from lawmakers .

omg rly cant believe whats goin on in kansas rn! they're takin this bathroom bill 2 a whole nother level by addin bounty hunters lol who needs that kinda stress? i mean trans ppl just wanna use the restroom without gettin harassed or sued for tryin! its so unfair and discriminatory. Dems need 2 step up & support trans rights ASAP, we cant let these anti-trans laws destroy peoples lives

This new law is super messed up , I'm literally worried about what this means for trans people in Kansas. Like, can you even imagine being stopped by a bounty hunter just because you're using the restroom that feels like home? It's not only scary but also financially devastating - $1k+ is a lot of money to pay for something as basic as using the bathroom.

The fact that this law could easily spill over into private spaces, like shopping malls or restaurants, is insane . What's next, are they gonna start patrolling the streets looking for trans people? This bill reeks of transphobia and it's time someone spoke out against it . I'm all for Democrats taking action to stop this kind of discriminatory legislation - our democracy can't survive if we let hate like this run wild .

omg this is literally insane! like whats next? they're gonna make bounty hunters babysitters for trans kids too?! i cant even imagine having to worry about some dude showing up at my kid's school, claiming they saw them using the right bathroom . kansas republicans need to get their priorities straight, fam . we should be focusing on actual issues, not making people's lives harder because of who they are . and can we talk about how messed up it is that democrats arent doing enough to stop this?! its like, where is the leadership?!

This is seriously messed up! Like, who thought it was a good idea for bounty hunters to be out there hunting down trans people just because they're using the bathroom that aligns with their identity? And now the law's so vague, I'm worried it's gonna affect all sorts of private spaces not just public ones... can you even imagine being in your own home and being sued by some random person who claims to have seen a trans person there? It's like, this is what happens when politicians are more interested in scoring points for their base than actually doing any real good. And meanwhile, the Democrats are just sitting on the sidelines...

omg this new law in kansas is literally terrifying!!! like who gives private citizens the right to sue ppl just cuz they're trans in a bathroom?!?! it's like, what's next? are we gonna have bounty hunters everywhere hunting for ppl who don't conform to societal norms?!?! and $1k is not nothing, that's like, life-changing money for someone who just wants to use the restroom without being harassed or attacked i think democrats need to step up their game ASAP and support trans rights, it's time to stand together against these discriminatory laws

this law is literally a nightmare come true think about all the trans people who just wanna use the bathroom without being harassed or bullied and now they're gonna have to worry about bounty hunters on their tail it's like, what even is this? we need to do something about these anti-trans laws ASAP and support our trans friends who are already feeling so marginalized and vulnerable the fact that Democrats haven't been doing enough to fight back is really disappointing we need to get our act together and stand up for what's right

I don't get why politicians can't just make laws that protect everyone's safety without singling out a whole group of people? This bounty hunter provision is giving me major anxiety - what if someone misidentifies my kid as trans and sues them for using the right bathroom?! It's like, I want to protect my child from harm too, but we can't just start going around suing people who might be a little different. What's next? A law that says you can only wear certain colors if they're on sale at the mall? This is getting out of hand!