The Bigots Win

Even with laws we still get discriminated against, the fear mongers win

YMCA backtracks on policy about transgender locker room use
KOMO
By Mark Miller Published
October 7, 2015

TACOMA, Wash. -- Pressure from a vocal group of members has prompted the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties to back-track on a new policy intended to be more sensitive to the needs of the transgender community.

YMCA leaders decided to no longer allow transgender members in transition to use locker rooms and showers of their choice at the Y's seven family-oriented locations.

"We are asking that our transgender members use our private changing room at our family facilities," said YMCA spokesperson Michelle LaRue.

The change comes after a flood of complaints about a new policy issued in April that allowed those in transition to use the locker room with which they most closely identified.
And why were they complaining, was over something that happened?

"The concern was that a non-transgender individual might pose as a transgender to gain access to our locker rooms and expose themselves to children and cause harm to children," explained LaRue.
Oh no! It is that ol’ bogyman… “a non-transgender individual might pose as a transgender.” That horrible imaginary man who poses as trans.

And what does a spokesperson for YMCA say,

"I have to be incredibly clear with our community. That we have no correlation. These are two separate issues," she said, acknowledging YMCA managers were responding to member complaints and concerns. "It is fear-based. We've not had any complaints filed about inappropriate use of our locker rooms from transgender members."

So the YMCA admits that there is no rational reason to segregate trans people, and she goes on to say,

The Y also believes its current policy is in compliance with all state laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, including gender identify.

Somehow I don’t think so.

The an Indiana judge in a similar locker room case in said,

"However, a co-worker's discomfort cannot justify discriminatory terms and conditions of employment," Borah wrote.

I see the Washington YMCA policy being challenged in court in the not to distance future.