The "T" in LGBT

[Texas Lynn]

The Religious Right's response to advances in human progress vis-a-vis sexual orientation is as the thread title suggests to rag on the rights of transgenders/transsexuals and in one particular area: to foment outrage over MTF TS's (Male-to-Female Transsexuals) using public women's rest rooms. Needless to say widespread outrage has been slow in coming, and when it does it is primarily from naive people over 60.

The idea that somehow a woman is in danger from transfolk using the women's room is as absurd as the idea that white women are somehow protected by segregating restrooms racially.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

What the heck

 

[Nanda]

Next they'll be wanting separate bathrooms for lesbians. Good grief...

 

[angellous_evangellous]

Next they'll be wanting separate bathrooms for lesbians. Good grief...

Pragmatically, it's a non-issue. Transvestites who actually pull it off can just walk in the restroom of the "opposite sex" and no one will ever know.

 

[Nanda]

Pragmatically, it's a non-issue. Transvestites who actually pull it off can just walk in the restroom of the "opposite sex" and no one will ever know.

(Just a little aside - We're not talking about transvestites, we're talking about the transgendered - transgendered people often get quite offended when you call them transvestites, and with good reason.)

 

[angellous_evangellous]

(Just a little aside - We're not talking about transvestites, we're talking about the transgendered - transgendered people often get quite offended when you call them transvestites, and with good reason.)

:foot:

 

[Zephyr]

You're right in a regard: I don't really see a woman being in danger if a transsexual enters the women's bathroom. That's pretty ridiculous. I know I'd feel perfectly safe if a woman entered the guy's bathroom, although maybe a bit confused. Not that I agree that they should go in there, but still, it's no danger.

I do agree with A_E though in that oftentimes it's a non-issue. If a woman can't tell that the person sitting next to her is a transsexual, does it really matter?

 

[Francine]

Next they'll be wanting separate bathrooms for lesbians. Good grief...

Good. That would mean two bathrooms for women, which means shorter lines than we have now, because women take longer. And if a straight gal gets tired of waiting she can just say she's a lesbian and come over to our bathroom. Who will know?

 

[nutshell]

When I did HR for a 1000 seat call center I received complaints from a few female employees because a transgendered person I recently hired was using the female restroom. The end result was the transgendered person was (of course) allowed to use the female restroom and the female employees had to learn to deal with it.

 

[Texas Lynn]

When I did HR for a 1000 seat call center I received complaints from a few female employees because a transgendered person I recently hired was using the female restroom. The end result was the transgendered person was (of course) allowed to use the female restroom and the female employees had to learn to deal with it.

I just really have trouble comprehending why it mattered to them. One is tempted to chalk it up to being uninformed only but it seems there's more there.

 

[nutshell]

I just really have trouble comprehending why it mattered to them. One is tempted to chalk it up to being uninformed only but it seems there's more there.

From their point of view it was an invasion of privacy because what they perceived to be a man was entering their restroom.

 

[Nanda]

Good. That would mean two bathrooms for women, which means shorter lines than we have now, because women take longer. And if a straight gal gets tired of waiting she can just say she's a lesbian and come over to our bathroom. Who will know?

LOL! You make a good point; I've always been of the opinion that bathrooms should either all be unisex, or there should be two ladies rooms for every guys. However, if we're to segregate based on sexual preference, which bathroom is a bisexual lady like me supposed to use? Or do I get to use both?

 

[Mike182]

LOL! You make a good point; I've always been of the opinion that bathrooms should either all be unisex, or there should be two ladies rooms for every guys. However, if we're to segregate based on sexual preference, which bathroom is a bisexual lady like me supposed to use? Or do I get to use both?

well, i guess that all depends upon what mood you're in when you need the toilet. not that i'm normally in a sexual mood when i use the toilet, mostly i'm in the mood for a pee...

i have worn drag a few times, and each time used the mens bathroom. that said, i have been at the venue i was at enough times to know i was quite safe. if i did feel threatened then i would either hold it in, or use the ladies room. almost every woman i know would have no problems with that. as a gay man though, i do resent not being able to go chat with my girlfriends when they go to the bathroom. it's about the only place in a nightclub where you can talk!

i don't know about people's rights in these situations though, i've never looked into it. both transvestites and transgendered people, pre or post surgery, should be able to choose which ever one they are most comfortable with.