So within the last month or so, there has been a lot of controversy over Target's new policy regarding their bathrooms. All over social media, I have seen an uproar of protest towards gender neutral bathrooms. Unfortunately, many people only reject the idea of gender neutral bathrooms because they're afraid it'll harm their loved ones. I'm here today to tell you my opinion on gender neutral bathrooms, and why I think they're a positive thing.
First of all, they aren't transgender bathrooms. They're gender neutral bathrooms. Meaning, if someone were to identify themselves as a certain gender, they're allowed to use the bathroom according to what they identify themselves as. It does not mean that the bathrooms are limited to those who are transgender.
Secondly, there is a great deal of fear that a man will walk into the same bathroom as a young girl, and he will harm her in some way. No man will walk into a bathroom, and rape your daughter, sister, cousin, or any young girl for that matter. People go into bathrooms to either poop or pee. If a man wanted to rape a young girl, he would do so anywhere. There is a fear that by creating gender neutral bathrooms, Target is developing more opportunities for rape to happen. If you are so concerned about a young girl you love getting harmed in the bathroom by an older man, then you can either go in the bathroom with her to protect her, or use the bathroom at home.
Also, how many of you even use Target bathrooms? Better yet, how many of you even shop at Target?
A girl can be raped at a university, at a party, at a park, on public transportation, at work, or even in some homes! You might as well say that males and females should walk on opposite sides of the streets! And why is it always a man harming a young girl? Statistically, a man is more likely to harm a young boy than a young girl. In addition, women rape as well as men. So a woman can rape a young girl, or a young boy. Rape can happen anywhere by anyone.
Third, not allowing someone of their preferred gender to use the bathroom they belong in is discrimination against transgender people. People who were born into the wrong bodies, and wish to be someone else, already struggle enough with being so different, and worry about society accepting who they are. If we continue to hate on transgender people, or poke fun at who they are, then we are disrespecting each other, which is wrong. To add, gender is just a title. Man/Woman does not mean anything other than what you identify yourself as. Whether you're a homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, heterosexual, transgender, man, woman, whatever you are either way you are a human being. Human beings need to use the bathroom. Why are we rejecting people from using the bathroom?
Furthermore, you have probably been sharing a bathroom with transgender people for years. You just wouldn't know it because it was not as publicized before. You won't even know you're sharing a bathroom with someone who was born a man because they'll appear to be a woman. No grown man is going to walk into a woman's bathroom.
Target dressing rooms have always been gender neutral from what I can remember. Really, the only change being made is the bathroom policy, and again, you won't even notice a difference.
Plus, how can you be so sure that something is going to fail before it even begins? After the change is made, if there continues to be an increase in sexual assault in public bathrooms, then the policy will end. When black people were told they were allowed to use the same facilities as white people, I'm sure white people were afraid that black people are going to come in and rape their white families, but how often did that happen? (RARELY, IF EVER)
Another argument is that we shouldn't be so concerned with something that affects less than 1% of the United States population. First of all, what proven statistic says that the population of transgender people is less than 1%? Also, 1% of the U.S. population is still 3,189,000 people which, if you ask me, is a lot of people. Whether it's 1% or 50%, you should still help those who need it.
People also would prefer that the gender neutral bathrooms are single stalled. If the bathrooms only had one stall in a large store such as Target, then the bathroom lines will be twice as long to wait in!
Another thing people are worried about is that Obama is not worrying about things that are more important. Something as small as gender neutral bathrooms is something he can get out of the way quickly; therefore, he can focus more solely on the larger problems. But also, how can you be so sure that he isn't concerned with big problems our country is facing? He is a black democrat, and more than half of congress are white republicans. The president doesn't pass laws, congress does, and many of those old, white, republican men still don't believe that a black man can run the country, especially if he's a democrat.
People are so afraid we've just "lost America." America is changing for the better! We are making positive changes here, people! How amazing is it that we are living through a time when there is less discrimination, and more acceptance? America is not losing, it is growing, and it is winning. If you don't like the new bathroom policies, then move to a different country. Open your eyes, our country has just improved even the slightest bit.
