On July 1, the day a new state law regulating public facility access took effect in Wyoming, trans woman Rihanna Kelver staged a peaceful protest at the Capitol building in Cheyenne by using the women’s restroom—an act intended to highlight concerns within the transgender community over the law’s impact, Wyoming Public Media reports.
Wearing a black leather jacket, Converse shoes, and thrifted jeans, Kelver sat on the Capitol lawn with a small group of supporters, speaking out against the law known as the “Protecting Privacy in Public Spaces Act” (House Bill 72). The law mandates that individuals using publicly funded restrooms, locker rooms, and sleeping quarters use facilities that correspond to their sex assigned at birth. It allows public facility managers to provide “reasonable accommodations” and opens the door for lawsuits from citizens who believe the law has been violated. However, the law does not criminalize such actions directly.
Kelver said she wanted to draw attention to what she described as a harmful law that unfairly targets transgender individuals.
“We are a very vulnerable community to violence, discrimination and persecution,” she told Wyoming Public Radio. “This is one more nail in a coffin of trying to silence and criminalize our existence.”
Supporters of the legislation, like Rep. Martha Lawley (R-Worland), say the bill aims to protect the privacy and safety of women and girls.
“That right to privacy should not be threatened by or trumped by someone else’s view about gender,” Lawley said during the legislative session earlier this year.
Among those observing the protest was Jessie Rubino, state director of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, who expressed support for the law.
“I just think men are men, and women are women, and it’s pretty simple,” Rubino said, adding that HB 72 provides clarity and safeguards for women and children.
Kelver entered the Capitol with a few supporters and informed Wyoming State Highway Patrol troopers of her plans ahead of time. She used the women’s restroom without incident, despite the nearby presence of law enforcement and Capitol security. The Wyoming Freedom Caucus later criticized Governor Mark Gordon, alleging that his office failed to enforce the law. Gordon’s spokesperson responded to media inquiries with a brief statement:
“The Governor has no comment.”
Kelver said the lack of enforcement reflects the law’s limitations.
“It seems like the law has no teeth,” she said. Still, she emphasized that her demonstration was about visibility, solidarity, and resistance. “My biggest message, especially to other trans people in Wyoming, is keep yourself safe, but you don’t have to be alone in your fear. You don’t have to be quiet.”
July 1 also marked the implementation of other new laws in Wyoming, including a ban on transgender student-athletes participating on sports teams that do not align with their sex assigned at birth. In total, more than 100 new laws took effect across the state.
