A controversial display at the White House over the weekend has sparked outrage from many, including an official statement from the White House itself.
On Saturday, two transgender activists, Rose Montoya and another unnamed biological female, went topless at a Pride Month event hosted by President Joe Biden.
Video of the incident was posted to social media and quickly went viral, prompting an official statement from the White House condemning the behavior.
“This behavior is inappropriate and disrespectful for any event at the White House. It is not reflective of the event we hosted to celebrate LGBTQI+ families or the other hundreds of guests who were in attendance. Individuals in the video will not be invited to future events,” the statement read.
The video, posted to TikTok by Montoya, also captures the influencer smiling next to the President and saying, “It‘s an honor, Mr. President. Trans rights are human rights.” It then shows Biden attempting to take a selfie with Montoya and other attendees, but the camera was set to video mode.
The display has caused an outcry from many on social media, with many chastising Montoya and the group for disgracing the White House.
Montoya, who is a biological male who is transgender, has since defended her display of nudity in a follow–up video on TikTok.
“I fully support the movement and freeing the nipple,” Montoya said. “My trans masculine friends were showing off their top surgery scars and living in joy, and I wanted to join them. And because it is perfectly within the law of Washington, D.C., I decided to join them and cover my nipples just to play it safe.”
For now, it is unclear which individuals the White House banned from their events, but Montoya and the unnamed person in the video are not expected to be invited to future events.
It is also uncertain whether other activists previously welcomed to the event will be banned in the future. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
The incident has highlighted the ongoing debate on transgender rights and the display of public nudity. In this case, it is very clear the White House does not condone such behavior, even at their own events.