|
national
Conservatives fight transgender bathroom rule
Florida voters will decide issue in March
Published Thursday, 22-Jan-2009 in issue 1100
GAINESVILLE, Florida (AP) – A blond girl heads from a playground into a women’s restroom. A scruffy man, lurking outside, darts in behind her. “Your City Commission Made This Legal,” the words on the TV screen read.
The dark ad came from opponents of a gender identity provision added last year to the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance, which now allows the city’s roughly 100 transgender residents to use whichever restroom they’re most comfortable using.
Foes want to repeal the new protection with a March 24 ballot measure that has divided Gainesville, a generally gay-friendly university city surrounded by staunchly conservative north Florida.
Those who support the transgender protections say their opponents are really unleashing a broader attack on the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender individuals in general.
The city commission approved the restroom provision by a 4-3 vote a year ago. Before the ink could dry, Bible-quoting opponents angrily began working for its repeal.
“You are trying to operate in a realm you do not have the authority to operate in,” one pastor, George Brantley, told the commissioners.
The debate is expected to become noisier as the ballot nears with opponents resorting to more TV ads and campaigns pegged to such slogans as “Keep Men out of Women’s Restrooms, and vice versa.”
Organizations defending transgender rights are mustering their own campaign.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force notes 108 cities and counties nationwide have similar transgender protections. An attempt to repeal an ordinance in Montgomery County, Md., failed when a court ruled opponents did not collect enough signatures to place it on the ballot.
Citizens for Good Public Policy, the group behind the commercial that aired last summer in Gainesville, collected more than 6,000 signatures last summer to win a referendum. If approved, the repeal measure would also prevent the commission from adding protections beyond what the state requires: race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability and marital status.
Cain Davis, chairman of Citizens for Good Public Policy, said the issue is about regulating a “government gone wild” and ensuring public safety, charging that sexual predators could now simply enter a women’s restroom claiming to be a transgender individual.
“We know when men go into women’s restrooms, bad things can happen,” Davis said.
City Commissioner Craig Lowe, leader of a group called Equality is Gainesville’s Business, called the ads from Davis’ group a grossly distorted attempt to whip up fears.
Since the ordinance took effect, police have reported no problems in public restrooms stemming from the law.
Some transgender people are taking no chances.
Computer programmer Clare Holman, who was born male but now lives as a female, said she simply stays away from public toilets.
“I don’t want to run afoul of the law by using the wrong restroom,” Holman said.
September Meadows
says:
I am a transexual woman (MtF). I can tell you that when I am out in public and need to use the restroom the only thing I'm thinking about for going in one is the fact I NEED TO USE THE TOILET! I am no threat to anyone and have no desire to be. The only threat comes from hateful people that would want to hurt me over my "call of nature". Some areas have opted to add in addition to female and male restrooms a third alternative "gender neutral" restroom that can be used by anyone. I belive in general that these are a good idea for everyone but as for me I am a woman. It is not my fault I was born this way. And I do not want to have to use a restroom used by men.
Jan 22, 2009 2:12 PM
Erika
says:
This is simply ridiculous bible thumpers trying to impose segregation and oppression on trans folk. It is discrimination and outrageous. These people who cause others harm by quoting ancient book passages have serious issues. I will continue to use the women's restroom because I am a woman and I would share my rights with any other person who did not have the same rights as me - that is the humane brotherly love way of life everyone should aspire to lead. That is what makes God happy - hate has no place in his kingdom. Love thy neighbor!
Jan 23, 2009 9:27 AM
This story is now closed for comments. Commenting is available only on stories in the current week's issue. |
Uptown Publications and the Gay & Lesbian Times recently moved from its University Heights location to a new office space in Mission Valley. The new location boasts a modern new look and improved layout for the inner office workings of the media company. The new space offers upgraded surroundings and a new and fresh start for San Diego's premiere GLBT news source. Our new address is:
Feed updated every Thursday
|
Subscribe via RSSCopyright © 2003-2010 Uptown Publications
