Trans Activist Apologizes for Going Topless At White House
removed her top during a Pride celebration on the White House lawn."Today I need to apologize," Montoya started the video, which she posted on Instagram on Friday afternoon.Montoya's apology came several days after she defended her actions during last Saturday's Pride Month celebration at the White House, specifically when she posted a video of herself on the White House lawn while topless and using her hands to cover her breasts.Though Montoya's social media followers surged following the video, the bold action caused a splash in the political realm.
The LGBTQ+ community is facing increasing criticism as legislators propose a flurry of anti-LGBTQ+ bills. Outside of legislation, many people have boycotted various companies that have expressed support for the LGBTQ+ community.Montoya's topless video was met with strong opposition, with some calling it a "disgrace".The White House also spoke out against the action and called it "inappropriate" and "disrespectful"."This behavior is inappropriate and disrespectful for any event at the White House," a White House spokesperson told Newsweek on Tuesday in response to the video. "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."Newsweek reached out to Montoya by email for comment, but Montoya at first defended her actions on TikTok, saying she was within her legal rights to bear her breasts, but she recanted this stance on Friday with a new video shared to her Instagram account.Montoya commented on how she was proud to visit Washington, D.C., and to speak about her experience being transgender.
