The topic of transgender bathrooms is something that is exploding all over the United States right now. Even the hashtag #boycottTarget was trending on Facebook because of Target's policy to allow individuals to choose their bathroom based on their gender identity. I have seen countless people spew hate online calling trans individuals perverts and child molesters. It has to stop now.
Transgender people have been here, in the United State's probably in the same bathroom as you for years now. This is not a new phenomena, and I can guarantee that you've been in a public restroom with a trans individual at some point in your life. You didn't even notice. Just because mainstream media and society have ignored transgender people, and cast them as something they are not, it is absolutely wrong to assume that any one transgender person is a danger to you.
Saying that someone could simply pretend to be transgender and enter a bathroom is not only far-fetched, but is really offensive to the trans community. Being trans is something that many struggle with. Being true to yourself and being who you are is not always something one is born with. Trans people should be respected, and anyone pretending to be transgender is exploiting a group that has dealt with oppression and harassment. Grouping the trans community with anyone who would pretend to be trans for the sake of entering a bathroom is like blaming any one white person for the KKK. It's wrong to group and stereotype everyone together.
Transgender people are people just like you and me. They simply want to use the bathroom and get out. Let's admit it, no one wants to actually use a public restroom. It's out of a necessity that all people no matter what gender identity are entitled to. You can't assume someone's gender identity no matter how they look. It is completely unfair to suddenly cast transgender people out of the bathrooms that make them comfortable.
What has become clear about this whole topic of transgender bathrooms is that the issue is not really about "protecting yourself or your children." If the issue really was that you were attempting to protect your child, you would be petitioning for laws against sex offenders in public restrooms.
Instead, it's clear that transgender people make you uncomfortable. This stems from your lack of understanding. In a world where diversity should be celebrated, I ask you to think and use all the empathy you have to be in a transgender person's shoes. The fact that people on Facebook are harassing trans individuals, making meme's that joke about this serious topic and threatening to inflict pain on anyone in the bathroom of their choices really makes the world a darker place.
I ask you to consider the fact that they are scared. They want to be comfortable in public, just like you and me. Who are you to be the bathroom police? Why do you get to decide where someone feels comfortable?
Before you go and spew hate, understand that you are angry at the wrong community. Be angry at the child molesters and sex offenders that walk the streets every day. Be angry at legislation that blames victim of assault and makes women pay for their own rape kits. Be angry at those imposing the patriarchy and making the world a darker place for those of you are so desperately trying to protect.
I ask you to please stop blaming the trans community for existing. They are people, like you and me, trying to live in this world. Stop grouping them together as criminals and see each person for who they are. I ask you to put your prejudices aside and do what's best for society. Allow anyone, of any gender identity to choose a bathroom without fear. Allow the trans community to be part of society, as they always have been. Protect trans individuals just as much as your children. They are not who you are angry at.
