I am not usually one to voice my opinions about controversial topics for the world to read. Don’t get me wrong, I am always up for a heated debate with my friends or family, but I don't see the point of posting it to social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter.
However, one topic I am willing to voice my opinion on for the world to read is the topic of Target's bathroom policy because this topic should not be controversial at all.
On April 19, Target corporate released a statement stating they support transgendered individuals to use whatever restroom they identify with.
You write, post videos and you boycott that you have a problem with this because you see this as allowing anyone to follow you into the restroom, but stand corrected; Target's bathrooms are not gender neutral.
In case you may be confused about what being transgendered means – it is a person who was born with the sex typically related to that of a female or male, but does not feel like they belong in that sex category. Therefore, they look, dress and act like the opposite gender.
Perhaps you are confused about the term gender, so let me clear that up. Gender is not one’s biological make up. Gender is an idea. Male and female are ideas. One’s sex, however, is their biological make up.
Therefore, a transgendered individual has the sex organ typically associated with one gender, but does not feel like they belong in that gender group, so they associate with the opposite gender. In other words, their gender identity does not adhere to the sex most typically related with that particular gender.
I’m sure all you naysayers and boycotters are not yet convinced that the Target bathroom policy has actually not changed at all. Maybe you are still skeptical because you believe this policy makes it easier for rapists and pedophiles to look, dress and act like the gender in which they want to victimize.
Well, you are right.
Yep, you heard it.
Rapists and pedophiles can very easily look, dress and act like the opposite gender just to attack you in a Target bathroom. Before you get too excited about thinking you are correct, let me ask you this: When, in all of the time, has anyone hired an employee to stand outside of a public restroom to monitor that individuals were going into the restroom that identified with their gender or sex?
Never.
If a rapist or pedophile really wanted to follow you into a bathroom, they would do it. Some of them probably would not even dress up like a specific gender in order to accomplish their goal of raping or sexually harassing you.
While that is a very harsh truth, that is just what it is – the truth. Rapists and pedophiles are not going to adhere by the rules. If a rapist or pedophile wants to accomplish something, they will do their best to accomplish that goal.
So while your fear of being followed into the Target bathroom and being raped is a very real and very valid fear, it has absolutely nothing to do with transgendered individuals.
Do not take your anger and fear out on individuals who have done absolutely nothing wrong. All these individuals want to do is use the restroom that fits their gender.
Who are you to tell them they are not allowed?
The issue is not with transgendered individuals, so stop boycotting Target because they openly support these people and the rest of the LGBT community.
If you are boycotting Target because of your fear of rapists and pedophiles attacking you in the bathroom, then you should also boycott every other store, mall and restaurant with public restrooms.
Don't take your fear out on the LGBT community.
