Trans Man Detained After Using Women’s Restroom in the U.S.

Luca Strobel, a 25-year-old transgender man from South Carolina, was recently detained at the Sand Dollar Social Club in Folly Beach after using the women’s restroom.

His experience, documented in a viral TikTok, highlights the dangers faced by trans individuals, especially in states with growing anti-trans legislation.

A Simple Need Met with Chaos

Strobel, known online as @FulltimeCowboy, accompanied a friend to the bar on May 16, intending to use the men’s restroom. However, when he discovered there were only urinals—making it inaccessible—he sought permission to use the women’s room instead. He believed he had permission and entered alone. However, he was then confronted by an employee, followed by the owner, who peered over the stall and began shouting that “there’s a man in here.”

He was quickly ejected, had anti-trans slurs hurled at him, and was then detained by police waiting outside. Strobel says the officers used derogatory language. They also cuffed him so tightly that he was bruised and unable to feel his fingers. Despite not being intoxicated, he was sober and acting as a designated driver, he was charged with public intoxication and disorderly conduct. He was then released on a $500 bond and given a trespass notice for the bar.

No Law Supported the Trans Man’s Arrest

There’s no law in South Carolina preventing a man, cisgender or transgender, from using a women’s restroom in public venues like bars. Yet, the incident comes amid a wave of “bathroom bill” proposals and legislation that seek to impose strict bathroom usage based on birth-assigned sex. South Carolina has seen efforts to restrict bathroom access in schools since 2024, with more bills proposed in 2025.

Community Outrage and Support for the Trans Man

Reactions online have been swift and emotional. On Reddit’s r/transgender, one user wrote:

“Just proves that we aren’t the threat, we are the threatened.”

Another highlighted that trans people face routine surveillance and hostility:

“Police interrogate gender in bathrooms… it makes things unsafe.”

These responses reflect widespread empathy and anger at how enforcement, rather than safety, is prioritized.

A Catalyst for Change?

Strobel continues to advocate for greater visibility and legal protections. He is refusing to “go stealth” to ensure public awareness of trans existence and rights. The incident serves as a potent example of how discriminatory attitudes and proposed legislation can harm real people in everyday situations.

A Broader Pattern of Abuse

This case is not isolated. Data shows that 59% of transgender Americans avoid public restrooms out of fear. Additionally, 12% of them are experiencing harassment or denial of access. Those forced to use unsuitable restrooms are at heightened risk—not just of police action, but of violence. This incident, where Strobel was punished despite following the same rules that anti-trans bills would demand, reveals the hypocrisy of such legislation.

Strobel is raising funds to relocate to a safer environment where he can live authentically. His case highlights the urgent need for public accommodations laws that are clear, inclusive, and protective, not punitive. Advocacy groups continue to pressure lawmakers to scrap bathroom bills and enact policies that defend trans rights and dignity on a daily basis.

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