The newest issue in the world this week is that Target will allow transgender individuals use the bathroom that he or she identify with. Normally, I don't share my opinion on issues that seem to put the world in an uproar. This however really caught my attention. From what I read and understood for the most part is that society fears any male will walk into the women's bathroom because, "They're feeling like a woman today," and rape the women and children.
That statement confused me more than I can begin to fathom. I can't comprehend why society has such an ugly assumption on the transgender community that the previous thought was the first thing to pop into their mind. When I first read that Target was allowing transmen and transwomen use the bathroom they identify with, I thought it was amazing! We need to stop and take a second to think of the transwomen who are forced to go into the men's bathroom. Do people not think they don't have a chance of getting harassed and possibly raped too? Just because someone is a little different does not mean they aren't a human being with real emotions. Imagine a 13-year-old boy who is transitioning into a girl, so, of course, said person is dressed like a girl and appears to look like a girl. Frowned upon by society she still has to use the men's bathroom.
Next, this person is greeted by an over assertive male who looks down upon transgender individuals. The guy decides this is sick and not right. He takes it upon himself to harass and rape an innocent child to put them in their place that he sees fit. Yes, that is a horrible situation to imagine, but it's also a real one. Why is it okay for a thirteen-year-old to be raped and harassed for trying to be who they are? When in reality that could've been avoided by using the bathroom that the person identified with.
Transgender women aren't grown men playing dress up. It could be anyone, any age, trying to become who he or she is on the inside. Look, I understand society's fear of change. No one likes change at first, but I believe the fear society is having about the transgender community is misplaced. Because any man can walk into a women's restroom and corner a woman or a child. Clearly a woman can walk into the ladies room and corner another woman or a child. What's the big deal now? Frankly, it wouldn't be anyone's first time sharing a bathroom with a transgender. Before anyone goes to Target with their pitchforks, stop and think about the people on the other side of this fight, who are having the same fear of being raped and harassed in a restroom as you do.
