You can’t enact laws protecting sexual orientation and gender identity because horny straight guys will start busting into women’s bathrooms.
That’s the argument critics of a proposed new anti-discrimination ordinance in Phoenix are claiming.
Most larger cities already have LGBT-inclusive anti-discrimination policies, and we haven’t heard of an epidemic of toilet trolls. But opponents claim the measure would enable cisgendered men to be leches in locker rooms, bathrooms and other women-only spaces by simply pretending to be transgender. “It really opens to door for a bunch of frivolous lawsuits,” said a spokesperson for the right-wing Center for Arizona Policy.
A public-comment session is scheduled for today, after which the city council can approve, dismiss or delay the measure.
Taliaferro
This is simple nonsense. This should apply only to single occupancy restrooms where one can enter and lock the door. Large facilities can certainly remain gender specific and anyone with any sense – clearly not those in opposition – would not use a restroom intended for one gender only. In cases where the restroom is for single occupancy, there are already many places where these restrooms are gender neutral and I have heard of no problem with one person following another into such a space.
viveutvivas
What’s funny is that the opponents are always the kind of women who are delusional in thinking anyone would *want* to follow them into the bathroom.
stadacona
Ugh..you used the disgusting phony term “cisgendered”.. goodbye forever crap Queerty. Delete my account.
Thedrdonna
@stadacona: OMG they used a term that achieves parity with “transgender”!! How absolutely GAUCHE! If you’re the kind of person who can’t accept that term (I wonder how you feel about the word “heterosexual”?) then I, for one, will welcome a Queerty that lacks your presence.
jwrappaport
@stadacona: Would you prefer terms like “real” or “legitimate” to make yourself feel better? Get over it: Some people have a different gender identity than that to which they were assigned at birth – there isn’t anything phony about it.
In the words of Spock from Star Trek VI: “If I were human, my response would be, ‘go to hell.'” Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
2eo
@stadacona: That isn’t enough. I demand a murder suicide. Do it, it is the only option.
GreatGatsby2011
@stadacona: And Queerty readers the world over heave a collective sigh of relief.
Dionte
I like how some a club I went to when I was younger has girls in the guys bathroom and guys in the girls bathroom and no one cared. At first I thought it was strange when I first walked in one but the next time it was no big deal. At least they looked like the opposite sex…..wait.
jean
Any woman who thinks the current gender segregation of bathrooms is protection is naive and ignorant. Women get raped all the time in restrooms at night when there are no other people around. Do they think a male rapist is stopped by a sign? I’ve never heard of a transgender MTF attacking a woman, I would think having another person around would make it less likely a real predator would enter. However, the best solution for all would be single, private unisex rooms with secure doors. I’d like to see building codes updated to require that for all new and remodeled construction, similar to how the ADA has gotten handicap access slowly added to America’s buildings.
niles
And the transsexual cadre strikes again with anti-gay male bigotry.
Thedrdonna
@niles: What bigotry?