A coalition of pro-LGBT groups have banded together to purchase airtime on Fox News to run an ad attacking North Carolina’s anti-transgender bathroom law on the night when presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump — or whomever replaces him — gives his acceptance speech.
The 60 second ad, which was created by Movement Advancement Project, Freedom for All Americans Education Fund and the Equality Ohio Education Fund features Alaina Kupec, a transgender woman from North Carolina.
In the ad, Kupec is seen in a restaurant with friends, but when she goes to use the ladies room she is denied entrance by a restaurant staffer who directs her to the men's room. Following the awkward confrontation, Kupec is rescued by two women who intervene and escort her into the women's bathroom.
Placing the ad exclusively on Fox News the evening when the GOP nominee gives their acceptance will force the network's conservative viewers to confront the real life challenges the transgender community faces.
For his part, Trump has been vague on transgender rights, but has also stated that North Carolina's discriminatory HB2 has caused “a lot of problems” and that transgender people should “use the bathroom they feel is appropriate.”
Other GOP candidates have taken a harder line, with Trump rival Texas Sen. Ted Cruz running a blatantly anti-transgender ad right before his campaign floundered and he dropped out the race.
According to the groups who produced the ad, it will run once again on MSNBC during the Democratic national convention the following week.
Watch the ad below via YouTube, along with the ad from Ted Cruz:
