Mothers from across California joined legislators, detransitioners, and individuals from across the political spectrum at a press conference last week to support AB 1998, a bill to protect intimate spaces for women. Standing shoulder to shoulder in the shadow of the State Capitol, they shared deeply personal and disturbing experiences that reveal a growing crisis of women being made vulnerable in locker rooms, restrooms, and other intimate spaces where they should feel safe. They all stood united in one message: men do not belong in women’s spaces. 

AB 1998, authored by Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo, seeks to restore clarity in California law by ensuring that locker rooms, restrooms, and showers are separated based on biological sex in private businesses, protecting the privacy, dignity, and safety of women and girls.  

One of the women speaking at the press conference was Sophia Lorey, Outreach Director for California Family Council. “This should not be controversial,” she told the press. “Women and girls deserve privacy, dignity, and safety in spaces where they undress and shower.”

Yet despite growing concern, AB 1998 has not been assigned to a committee, leaving many questioning why lawmakers are unwilling to engage with an issue affecting women across the state. Current state policies have created the conditions for these incidents, yet Democratic lawmakers who control which bills get a hearing remain unwilling to have the conversation.

The following testimonies highlight the harm and danger women face when men, who self-identify as transgender, are allowed into private female spaces.

Elizabeth Kenny: 

Elizabeth Kenny, a mother and grandmother from Oakland, recounted a troubling incident at the Berkeley YMCA, the only gym she could afford. Inside the women’s locker room, she witnessed a 6’3”, 300-pound, fully naked man cornering a frail, elderly Asian woman who spoke little English.

The woman, partially undressed and clearly distressed, repeatedly gestured for him to cover himself. Instead, he responded by yelling at her, accusing her of having a “sexual problem.” Kenny intervened, allowing the woman to escape, but was left shaken by the encounter. Management, she said, failed to respond. 

“Governor Newsom will never see that woman’s terrified face,” an emotional Kenny said. “He will never know I was up at 3 a.m., haunted by the image of that man intimidating that frail, elderly woman as her hands shook. His wife, his daughters will never find themselves looming with a naked man watching them while they are naked. But the common women will.” 

“I urge Governor Newsom to think about that small, terrified woman in the locker room and ask himself what side he is really on. But I think we already know,” she said. “Trans trumps everything, even defenseless children.”

Grace Hudson:

Grace Hudson shared her recent experience at a San Francisco Planet Fitness locker room where she saw the shadow of a man pleasuring himself in a women’s bathroom stall.

“My eyes were sexually assaulted,” Hudson said. She left hoping the man would be gone after her workout. But when she returned, he was still there. 

After recording a video, she got her boyfriend to confront the man who defended his presence and his behavior by saying he was transgender. Even more troubling, when Hudson later reported the incident to management, she received a letter warning that she could face consequences for filming what she saw.

“I felt sick,” she said. “Now I’m nervous every time I use a public restroom or locker room.”

No woman should feel unsafe using the restroom. Legislators should be ashamed that their policies have allowed women to be treated unjustly.

Hudson’s boyfriend was at the press conference to support her. We need more men like that who are willing to stand up and protect the women they love. 

Women are saying enough is enough, but they should not be the only ones standing up for themselves. “This is happening because of males. Why would we ever live in a society where we let men oppress women like that?” Greg Burt, Vice President of California Family Council, said during the Coffee Culture and Capitol podcast. “Why is this not the top issue of the Republican Party? Where are the police officials?” 

Take Action:  

AB 1998 would restore common-sense boundaries that protect women and girls. But it still has not been assigned to a committee. “The political majority in Sacramento does not want this conversation. They don’t want to vote on this issue or go on record explaining their position,” Lorey said. Women deserve a hearing for AB 1998. 

“Women are told that if we feel uncomfortable or unsafe, the problem is us. We are told to ignore our instincts, to stay silent, and that questioning it makes us intolerant. But women should not have to ignore their own safety concerns in spaces where privacy is expected,” Lorey said. 

Californians should not have to wait until incidents like these happen to them or someone they love.

Take action today: Contact your Assemblymember and urge them to assign AB 1998 to a committee. Women’s safety, dignity, and privacy deserve to be a priority.

(Editor’s Note: California Assemblywoman Leticia Castillo, R-58, Riverside and San Bernardino County is the author of AB 1998. Click here to watch the full press conference, 34 minutes on AB 1998: Protect Women In Intimate Spaces.)