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Foster care advocate Elliott Hinkle is challenging Rep. Nancy Mace’s claim that she was physically accosted by James McIntyre, who was arrested at a Capitol event. Mace, who co-chairs the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, was speaking at an event celebrating the Foster Care Independence Act when McIntyre approached her after her speech. Hinkle and others present said McIntyre reached out to shake Mace’s hand and advocate for trans youth, but Mace seemed to react normally and then left the room. Shortly after, Capitol Police arrived and arrested McIntyre.
Lisa Dickson, another former foster youth and advocate, expressed disappointment in Mace for having McIntyre arrested after saying the event was a safe space for foster youth. Mace claimed that McIntyre aggressively shook her arm, causing her pain, and later shared an image of herself with her arm in a sling. She has also made comments linking the incident to the broader issue of transgender rights and criticized the media for promoting misogyny.
Mace introduced a measure last month to prevent lawmakers from using facilities that do not correspond to their biological sex, in response to the election of openly transgender Representative Sarah McBride. McIntyre pleaded not guilty to charges of assaulting a government official and was released with conditions to stay away from Mace. The incident has sparked controversy and debate over the treatment of transgender individuals and the use of facilities based on gender identity.
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