Nancy Mace and Ronny Jackson Call for Institutionalization of Transgender People

In a development that has sparked alarm among civil rights groups and LGBTQ+ advocates nationwide, Republican Representatives Nancy Mace (South Carolina) and Ronny Jackson (Texas) have called for the institutionalization of transgender people. Their statements, made following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk—a crime not committed by a transgender person—represent a significant and dangerous escalation in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric by sitting members of the U.S. Congress .

Representative Mace, speaking to the press, used derogatory language to refer to transgender people and stated, "these people are violently ill and should be in a straight jacket with a hard steel lock on it" . Her comments came during a street interview in which she was questioned about her use of slurs and her stance on transgender rights.

Shortly thereafter, Representative Jackson appeared on Newsmax and, when asked if “bringing back mental institutions could be on the table,” responded that transgender people have “legitimate psychiatric issues” and further added, “we have to get them off the streets and we have to get them off the internet and we can’t let them communicate with one another. I’m all about free speech, but this is a virus. This is a cancer that is spreading across this country” .

The statements by Representatives Mace and Jackson come amid a broader surge in anti-transgender rhetoric and policy proposals from far-right politicians and influencers. Following the killing of Charlie Kirk, multiple conservative leaders and commentators have used the tragedy to call for draconian measures against LGBTQ+ people, despite the fact that the crime was not perpetrated by a transgender individual .

In addition to calls for institutionalization, figures such as Matt Walsh and Laura Loomer have described transgender advocacy as “terrorism” and demanded the arrest and prosecution of LGBTQ+ activists and their supporters. Even prominent tech figures have amplified calls for long-term or indefinite institutionalization of transgender women on large social media platforms .

This recent rhetoric has drawn comparisons to anti-LGBTQ+ crackdowns abroad, notably in Russia, where LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations have been declared "extremist" and targeted for dissolution . Advocates warn that such parallels are deeply concerning in the context of democratic societies.

LGBTQ+ civil rights organizations and mental health experts have strongly pushed back against the claims made by Mace and Jackson, emphasizing that transgender identity is not a mental illness and that such rhetoric is not only unfounded but actively harmful .

“There is no evidence that transgender people are ‘violent’ or ‘terroristic,’” said a spokesperson for an LGBTQ+ advocacy group. “The overwhelming majority of killings in the United States—by a wide margin—are committed by cisgender men. To blame transgender people for violence is not only inaccurate, it is scapegoating” .

Medical and psychological associations, including the American Psychiatric Association, have long affirmed that being transgender is not a mental disorder and that attempts to pathologize transgender people contribute to discrimination, marginalization, and increased risk of mental health challenges due to societal stigma and exclusion .

Recent research has documented the negative mental health impacts of anti-trans legislation and rhetoric. A 2024 study published by National Public Radio found a significant rise in suicide attempts among transgender youth in states that passed anti-trans laws, highlighting the real-world harm caused by such political attacks .

Transgender people have historically faced institutionalization as a method of erasure, with forced confinement and medical abuses used to suppress gender diversity . The invocation of this legacy by current lawmakers is viewed by advocates as a dangerous attempt to revive discredited and dehumanizing practices.

Experts warn that such calls set a dangerous precedent, potentially paving the way for policies that violate fundamental human rights and civil liberties. International human rights law, including the Yogyakarta Principles, affirms the right of all people—including transgender people—to freedom from arbitrary detention and to live free from discrimination and violence based on gender identity .

The statements by Mace and Jackson are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of escalating anti-LGBTQ+ politics in the United States. Multiple commentators have noted the use of tragedies and high-profile crimes as pretexts for proposing ever-more extreme measures against transgender people and LGBTQ+ communities at large .

Civil rights advocates caution that this rhetoric is not only divisive but may incite further discrimination, harassment, and violence against transgender people in both public and private life. They urge lawmakers and the public to reject such calls and instead focus on evidence-based policies that support the dignity, safety, and well-being of all people, regardless of gender identity .

Faced with this renewed hostility, LGBTQ+ advocates and allies have vowed to continue fighting for transgender rights and dignity. Many have called for legal challenges, increased public education, and stronger community support networks to counteract the effects of hate speech and discriminatory policy proposals .

The outcry in LGBTQ+ spaces highlights both the deep pain caused by such rhetoric and the determination of the community to resist erasure. As one commenter put it, “We have plenty of warning and will not all be soft targets. We will not go into camps or that good night easily” .

The calls for institutionalization by sitting U.S. representatives mark a sobering moment in the ongoing struggle for transgender rights in America. As debates over LGBTQ+ equality continue to intensify in political arenas, the response from advocates, medical experts, and the broader public will play a critical role in determining the future of civil rights for transgender people.

Advocacy organizations urge anyone affected by anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric or policy proposals to seek support from trusted community resources and to participate in ongoing efforts to protect and expand rights for all.