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A Comprehensive Guide To The Debunked “Bathroom Predator” Myth

Here’s The Evidence Refuting The Myth About Trans-Inclusive Bathrooms 

Special Programs LGBTQ

Written by Erin Fitzgerald

Published

Conservatives have long peddled the myth that sexual predators will exploit nondiscrimination laws to sneak into women's restrooms by pretending to be transgender. The “bathroom predator” myth has been repeatedly debunked -- by experts and government officials in 16 states and the District of Columbia, and school administrators in 23 school districts and four universities. Despite overwhelming evidence, many media outlets continue to uncritically repeat the debunked myth peddled by anti-LGBT groups.

  • States Experts and Law Enforcement Officials

    School Districts and Universities

    Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Prevention Experts

    Independent Investigators

    Experts From 16 States And The District Of Columbia Reported No Issues As A Result Of Nondiscrimination Protections

    Experts In 12 States And Cities With LGBT Protections Debunk The “Bathroom Predator” Myth. Experts -- including law enforcement officials, government employees, and advocates for victims of sexual assault -- in states and cities with LGBT nondiscrimination laws have debunked the “bathroom predator” myth, calling it baseless and “beyond specious.” None reported incidents where sexual predators had taken advantage of LGBT nondiscrimination protections. [Media Matters, 3/20/14]

    Washington Blade: Law Enforcement Officials In Delaware, Maryland, And Washington, D.C., Report No Issues From Nondiscrimination Laws. The Washington Blade contacted law enforcement officials in Washington, D.C., Delaware, and Maryland -- all of which have LGBT nondiscrimination laws -- to ask if the “bathroom predator” myth had come true. Law enforcement officials reported that their civil rights laws hadn't been linked to any crime. A public information officer with the Baltimore Police Department called the “bathroom predator” talking point “the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” [Washington Blade, 3/31/16]

    Texas Experts Debunk The “Bathroom Predator” Myth. Experts -- including law enforcement officials, government employees, and advocates for sexual assault victims -- from three Texas cities with LGBT nondiscrimination ordinances debunked the “bathroom predator” myth, citing empirical evidence and experience working with sexual assault victims. [Media Matters, 10/15/15]

    Florida Experts Debunk The “Bathroom Predator” Myth. Experts -- including law enforcement officials, government employees, and advocates for sexual assault victims -- from 10 different Florida cities and counties with LGBT nondiscrimination ordinances debunked the “bathroom predator” myth, citing empirical evidence and experience working with sexual assault victims. [Media Matters, 1/12/16]

    Research From 23 School Districts And Four Universities That Have Trans-Inclusive Policies Showed No Incidents Of Inappropriate Behavior

    Seventeen School Districts Debunk “Bathroom Predator” Fears About Protections For Transgender Students. Seventeen school districts across the country, representing over 640,000 students, have implemented nondiscrimination protections allowing transgender students to use the facilities that correspond with their gender identity. None of them have experienced issues concerning inappropriate bathroom use. [Media Matters, 6/3/15]

    Four North Carolina Universities Debunk The “Bathroom Predator” Myth. Davidson and Guilford colleges and Elon and Wake Forest universities have policies allowing transgender students to use the restrooms and facilities that correspond with their gender identity. None have reported negative incidents concerning bathroom access as a result of their nondiscrimination policies. [Media Matters, 4/5/16]

    Six California School Districts Report No Inappropriate Behavior After Implementing Protections For Transgender Students. Media Matters contacted officials from a number of California's largest school districts to determine if predictions about issues arising from providing protections for transgender students had proved accurate in the first month of a statewide school nondiscrimination law. None of the school districts reported incidents of harassment or inappropriate behavior as a result of the law. [Media Matters,  2/11/14]

    Advocates for Victims of Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence Prevention Organizations Have Debunked The “Bathroom Predator” Myth