Posted Thursday, July 7, 2016 2:39 pm

A float in the Cody Stampede Parade that touched on the national debate over transgender restrooms generated heavy criticism and discussion on social media this week.

The float included a rustic wooden outhouse and a sign that read “Transgender Restroom,” with an arrow pointing to the outhouse.

Photos of the outhouse circulated on Facebook soon after the parade, with commenters questioning what message the float creators intended to convey.

“Did you mean to say transgender people should be banned from indoor facilities altogether, or that Wyoming has gender neutral bathrooms in abundance?” wrote Justin Crooks, a former Cody resident, in a post on the Cody Stampede Parade Committee’s Facebook page. “Some clarification is warranted.”

Ranae Roesch-Gordon, who entered the float, posted a response on her personal Facebook page that was later deleted.

“Holy crap! (Pun intended) Our parade float was a joke,” Roesch-Gordon wrote. “Not intended to be offensive, but rather point out that we have all used a bathroom since we were potty-trained. Outhouses are transgender …”

Others disagreed that it was just a joke, saying the intent was clear and the float was offensive.

“Celebrate the ‘land of the free’ in Cody! Unless you’re transgender. Then you can come, but you can only use the outhouse out back,” wrote James Kastner in a one-star review of the Cody Stampede Parade Committee’s Facebook page. He said he was bullied for being gay while growing up in Cody and said it was “safer” for LGBTQ people to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks through Jackson.

Kastner also wrote a widely shared post on his personal page in which he said the float was an example of why he doesn’t return to his hometown. His post included a photo of the float with a caption reading, “This is not my America.”

The backlash was fierce enough that Roesch-Gordon deactivated her personal Facebook page, while a number of people made posts saying they found the float funny and considered the criticism an overreaction.

“Keep your pity party to yourself,” wrote Venessa Pulver, originally of Casper, in a share of Kastner’s Facebook post. “(T)he rest of the world is over it and frankly we are tired of tip-toeing around because it might offend you.”

On Tuesday evening, the Cody Stampede Parade Committee issued a statement that thanked everyone who shared concerns about the float.

“While we support everyone who (is) willing to spend the time and effort to create an entry for the parade, we recognize there was some confusion and even anger about this particular float,” the committee wrote on its Facebook page. “We are going to do what we always do in Wyoming and sit at the table with the folks from Wyoming Equality and the transgender community.”

The committee apologized for any hurt caused by the float, and said they look forward to serving the entire Cody community.

“You are all what makes our town great. Thank you for your continued support,” the committee wrote.

The committee also clarified that an award which had been affixed to the float, near the outhouse, had not been for the float itself but rather for a costumed horse that was part of the larger entry.

“The parade participant placed the award on the float because it was more easily attached but actually had nothing to do with the float,” the committee wrote.

Facebook users generally thanked the committee for the explanation and apology.

“Well done,” responded Kastner, suggesting the Cody Stampede Parade could have a pride float in next year’s event.

“This is more in line with how I have experienced the people of Cody and Wyoming,” wrote Jeff Miller of New Jersey. “It must be frustrating that all of your work in planning has been tarnished by the short sighted and insensitive actions of a few people.”

Meanwhile, Cody City Councilman Steve Miller posted a comment noting the amount of work done by the parade committee. Miller said he really didn’t see the issue with the float.

“I think this (year’s) parade was great as always,” he wrote. “If anyone disagrees then get off your dead @$$ and make your own float. It is not that easy!”

State Sen. Chris Rothfuss, D-Laramie, was among those who shared Kastner’s “This is not my America” Facebook post. Rothfuss said he was looking forward to reintroducing a bill in 2017 that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. He said he was looking forward to Sen. Hank Coe, R-Cody, being among the bill’s co-sponsors again.

(CJ Baker and Tessa Schweigert contributed reporting to this story.)