Abstract: A grasping handle for a toilet seat includes a base unit having an inner lip and a slidable handle unit having an outer lip. The handle unit telescopes into the base unit. In a preferred embodiment, the handle unit includes a pair of toothed prongs which engage matching teeth on the interior of the base unit. The lips grasp the inner and outer perimeters of the toilet seat between them and the spacing is held by the engagement of the teeth. A release mechanism includes plungers which bias the prongs away from the interior walls, disengaging the teeth. In an alternative embodiment, the prongs include a cross member which carries a torsion spring with arms that engage the base unit interior walls. The torsion spring biases the handle into a fully telescoped condition and thereby exerts a spring force to keep a toilet seat grasped between the inner and outer lips.