Musician Tish Hyman, based in Los Angeles, faced a crowd’s backlash after expressing her view that transgender women are not women. At a town hall event, she pressed California Senator Scott Wiener on women’s safety in light of her recent incident in a women’s locker room at Gold’s Gym Beverly Center, where she felt threatened by a biological male.
In a video she shared on social media, Hyman recounted her concern for the safety of biological women, asking Wiener, “What do you say to women who seek assurance that California law will protect them?” Wiener replied, acknowledging the need for safety for all individuals, including transgender people.
While Hyman commended certain achievements of Democratic lawmakers, she warned that the proposed legislation could pose risks to women and children in spaces traditionally meant for women. “As a woman, I will say first and foremost that this is dangerous,” she insisted, seeking clarity on whether women would be safeguarded.
The atmosphere grew tense as Hyman reiterated that trans women and biological women are distinct. An audience member interjected, asserting, “Trans women are women.” Hyman countered, sharing her personal experience of being assaulted by a man, emphasizing her identity as a lesbian who is not transphobic.
After Hyman’s comments, Wiener expressed appreciation for her perspective and acknowledged the violence faced by all women, including trans women. He elaborated on the importance of ensuring protection for all marginalized groups.
In a follow-up statement to a news outlet, Hyman clarified that her interaction with Wiener was not political, but centered on the accountability and respect women deserve regarding their safety and privacy. She urged leaders to listen to women rather than attempting to silence them.
Hyman also shared a video documenting a confrontation with a biological man who claimed to be a transgender woman in the locker room. She described multiple assaults, including being verbally attacked.
Wiener has long been an advocate for transgender rights and policies. In 2023, he and others sought to label a Christian organization a “hate group” for its stance on biological realities.
