This bathroom bill bullshit is driving me insane. Every time I get on the computer my screen blows up with news about the bathroom bill and everyone's opinion. Why is it such a big deal for trans people to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity? As a trans person myself, I am scared to death of using a public restroom. I typically avoid it at all costs. Why? I am scared of potential violence or harassment that will be used against me. Even though I am legally recognized as female, I still do not use the women's restroom if I do not feel like I look "feminine" enough. Because someone would see me and assume that a man has walked into the women's restroom. This might incite screaming and yelling at me, which would be extremely embarrassing and humiliating. If I am dressed feminine in any way, I am even more fearful of using the men's restroom. I don't identify as a man, so this is always uncomfortable anyways. If I use the men's restroom I fear the possibility of violence. There are news reports all of the time about trans women getting beat up or harassed in bathrooms, and I am scared to death of this happening to me. This is a real thing that happens, and it happens quite frequently. So I hold it most of the time. I hold in my piss because there is a very real possibility of my being harassed and beaten up if I use the restroom. Let that sink in. This is not some unfounded fear. This literally happens all of the time.
So why so much resistance? Supporters of these types of bills say that men will be motivated to say they are women. For what purpose? To sneak a peek or expose themselves to the women and children occupants. It is for the protection of our women and children! What is even more sickening is when a man says he wishes he could say he was trans so he could go in the girls locker room and look around. These words have literally been spoken from the mouths of politicians, elected by the people, to represent us. They are basically saying that they would be a sexual predator. They are admitting that given the opportunity, they would go into a bathroom and look at non-consenting naked girls. Fucking gross. Yet they still remain in positions of influence and political power! This is mind boggling! Even worse is how many people agree with them! Enough to make this such a hot topic of debate. Sick bastards.
There is no fucking debate. You will always be using the restroom with a trans person. We are not going anywhere and we are now visible and protected enough to start gaining equal rights. We will have legal protections, so that we don't have to continue to be victims of harassment and violence. We will use public facilities that are congruent with our gender identities. Science is behind us, the federal government is behind us, and now a majority of society is behind us as well. Best get used to us now because your fighting is futile. So much energy is being expended to keep an already heavily marginalized group of people further marginalized. Where could this energy be spent to actually make real change? Maybe the fact that some men find it okay to sexually assault women. Maybe the fact that some women fear sexual assault in public places. Why don't we focus on these problems first? Because that would require change, a change in the way we treat issues as a society. Combating misogyny and rape culture are big ticket items that need to change. And change is hard. It is so much easier to just enjoy the fruits of privilege and not worry about the suffering that is inflicted upon others.
So why so much resistance? Supporters of these types of bills say that men will be motivated to say they are women. For what purpose? To sneak a peek or expose themselves to the women and children occupants. It is for the protection of our women and children! What is even more sickening is when a man says he wishes he could say he was trans so he could go in the girls locker room and look around. These words have literally been spoken from the mouths of politicians, elected by the people, to represent us. They are basically saying that they would be a sexual predator. They are admitting that given the opportunity, they would go into a bathroom and look at non-consenting naked girls. Fucking gross. Yet they still remain in positions of influence and political power! This is mind boggling! Even worse is how many people agree with them! Enough to make this such a hot topic of debate. Sick bastards.
There is no fucking debate. You will always be using the restroom with a trans person. We are not going anywhere and we are now visible and protected enough to start gaining equal rights. We will have legal protections, so that we don't have to continue to be victims of harassment and violence. We will use public facilities that are congruent with our gender identities. Science is behind us, the federal government is behind us, and now a majority of society is behind us as well. Best get used to us now because your fighting is futile. So much energy is being expended to keep an already heavily marginalized group of people further marginalized. Where could this energy be spent to actually make real change? Maybe the fact that some men find it okay to sexually assault women. Maybe the fact that some women fear sexual assault in public places. Why don't we focus on these problems first? Because that would require change, a change in the way we treat issues as a society. Combating misogyny and rape culture are big ticket items that need to change. And change is hard. It is so much easier to just enjoy the fruits of privilege and not worry about the suffering that is inflicted upon others.