Three partygoers who took a topless photo on the South Lawn at the White House's LGBTQ+ Pride celebration on Saturday have been barred from all future events.
The behavior was labeled "unacceptable" and "unfair" to others by White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
One of those banned after sharing a video on social media was transgender woman, influencer, and advocate Rose Montoya.
Ms. Montoya replied that it was acceptable to be topless in Washington and that she didn't mean to offend anyone.
In a 58-second clip of the White House event, Ms. Montoya is seen standing next to two shirtless trans men with her hands crossed over her chest in a topless position.
Someone off camera inquires, "Are we topless at the White House?".
The hundreds of attendees who were there to celebrate their families were treated unfairly, Ms. Jean-Pierre opined on Tuesday. ".
"This conduct is impolite and disrespectful for any White House event. It is not representative of the gathering we held to honor LGBTQI+ families or the other hundreds of attendees, Ms. Jean-Pierre said.
"People in the video won't be permitted to attend upcoming events. ".
In Ms. Montoya's video, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden can be seen addressing the audience before extending their greetings to Ms. Montoya.
In response to criticism on the internet, Ms. Montoya posted a TikTok video in which she questioned why some people now find her chest inappropriate when, according to her, they did not before she came out as transgender.
I wanted to join my transgender friends who were celebrating life and flaunting their most prominent surgical scars, she said. I chose to join them and cover my nipples out of caution because it is perfectly legal in Washington, DC. ".
She added: "I was just existing in my body and living my joy and truth in the video, which was titled "free the nipple.". ".
The White House claimed that the gathering, which drew hundreds of guests, was the biggest Pride celebration ever held at the president's official residence and office.