I’m Neutral On That…

When I was in graduate school some of the students came up to me and said that they wanted to start a petition to create gender neutral bathrooms. I think they expected me to be gun-ho on the idea, but I said that I would support them. However, I wanted to make sure that it did require trans-people to have to use the gender neutral bathroom and we could use the bathroom of the gender that we identify with. In addition, I told them that the gender neutral bathroom should be for everyone and not just for trans-people.

It seems like “gender neutral” is in the news this week…

Transgender AU senior turns personal experience into political action
The Washington Post
By Rachel S. Karas
March 24, 2013

McBride channels her experiences to effect change at American. As president, she successfully lobbied for gender-neutral housing on campus and the creation of a Sexuality and Queer Studies minor. Her current efforts as a Class of 2013 senator include pushing for coverage of transgender transition care, such as medicine and surgery, in AU’s student health insurance policy.

Though she said universities nationwide have become more effective at dealing with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues, McBride challenged college campuses to constantly question how inclusive and accessible they are.

As I said, I’m only in favor of “gender neutral” as an option that is available to all. I do not want to see it used as a “Trans Getto” where all the transgender students get dumped.

Grant High's transgender students get unisex bathroom option
The Oregonian
By Nicole Dungca
March 22, 2013

Northeast Portland's Grant High School, addressing an issue schools increasingly face across the nation, has created six unisex bathrooms in response to concerns from transgender students uncomfortable with traditional bathrooms.

Officials say four student restrooms and two staff restrooms -- all single-stall -- will be open to all students but create another option for the five to 10 transgender students at the high school, Portland Public Schools' largest. The move is a first in the district and relatively uncommon nationwide for K-12 schools, which typically make staff or other small bathrooms available.

What I like about this is that the option to use the gender neutral bathrooms is for everyone and that the trans-students have the option of not using it. Too often school will require the trans-students to use only the gender neutral bathroom and the school officials will claim it is for the safety of the trans-student. When in reality the schools are required by law to provide a safe space for all students.

Then we have Arizona with their “Show Me Your Papers Before You Go Potty" which I am definitely not neutral on...

Transgender Bathroom Use Debate Emerges In Arizona
Huffington Post
By CRISTINA SILVA
03/20/13

PHOENIX — A prominent Republican lawmaker in Arizona wants to link public bathroom use to birth certificates in what civil rights advocates are calling the nation's toughest anti-transgender measure.

The bill would require people to use public restrooms, dressing rooms or locker rooms associated with the sex listed on their birth certificate or face six months in jail.
[…]
In Arizona, where Republicans control state government, Kavanagh said government shouldn't allow people to use facilities based on "you are what you think you are." He said he was worried an anti-discrimination ban passed in Phoenix last month would serve as a cover for pedophiles who want to expose themselves to children of the opposite gender.

That is complete bull! This is the typical right-wing conservative party line. There has never being a single case where a pedophiles has used the gender identity and expression anti-discrimination law to gain access to a bathroom since the City of Minneapolis passed the first transgender-inclusive non-discrimination law in 1975.

The article also said that…

The proposal had been scheduled for a vote Wednesday during a House of Representatives committee. But in an unusual scene for the usually staid halls of state government, men in dresses, women in business suits and other transgender supporters crowded into the committee room and the lobby of the House to protest the legislation.

Minutes after the meeting started, state Rep. John Kavanagh said he would delay the debate on his bill because of a paperwork error.

Let’s hope that this bill never see the light of day again.