The Restroom Issue: Try It Out

[sjoes006]

While it is a long understood social protocol that men don't enter the ladies rooms or dig in their purse it is important to understand it simply as that- culture norms that before went unquestioned reminiscent of polite society long since passed.

Just as with white people being uncomfortable drinking from the same water fountain as coloreds, sharing bathrooms making one uncomfortable is no excuse.

I was first exposed to the culture of gay men using female restrooms 13 years ago at age 19 in a bar I wasn't old enough to get in to and a restroom with a long line whilst the men's line was short. In the line just ahead of me was a gay man chatting with his gal pals politely waiting.

I questioned it to my friends and I was clearly uncomfortable. Why? Because women in this town acted really badly in the restroom. It was our own girls club where we shaked and grabbed our cleavage back to perfection, fixed lipstick and laid out our game plan for when we got back 'out there'. If your friend threw up you'd take off her bra and clean her up.

But then I realized okay he's gay so it's different and then his friends and him were like he sees soooo many naked women and I thought, of course.

Straight men who want to go in the women's restroom to cause trouble will do it regardless but most won't. Gay men and transgender already know in most cases these restrooms are open to them. Making it law is only guaranteeing what is already in place in most progressive society.

In Schools however the fed is simply providing guidance on how this hot button issue is being and should be handled.

honestly we have to let go of this idea of the restroom as a sacred place. It's a place where you shit and leave.

As for locker rooms, if I'm comfortable changing in front of 10 other women in as good or better shape than me I'll change in front of Caitlin Jenner. She's probably seen worse.

Let's raise our youth up, not down!

[Arcano]

I am completely comfortable sharing restrooms with transgender women -- early in their transition or far. And gay men, if they feel safer. It isn't either of those demographics that cause assault issues around women, so I fail to see how regulating them is logical.

There are more assault issues surrounding the POLITICIANS making these laws. Sometimes the most dangerous place is around those you trust -- in the home, places of authority, etc. It is in those areas where the most problems have arisen.

[danny11]

I already get it all figured out. Im always gona feel like a girl when i go to the locker room.

For the bathroom if im doing something i can stand im going in the guys. if i gota sit im going to the womans.

[SilenRose]

If I'm understanding this correctly you don't mind sharing a bathroom with a straight male? You prefer unisex bathrooms.

[sjoes006]

While that isn't what I said I wouldn't be opposed to it. Bathrooms like this have stalls. I said I've been peeing with intact gay and grabs men for over a decade with sans problem.

Straight men who are predictors may seek entrance but highly unlikely and even if they do we can all smell when something isn't right. Trust me, we'll all know real quickly if a straight man is in there and kick him the fuck out.

This isn't even an issue.

[SilenRose]

There is no way you'll know. Some guys can act or make a claim they are transgendered. Most places have the option for unisex bathrooms anyway.

[sjoes006]

If what you are saying is truly the case and were a problem for sexual assault the moment has long since passed.

Every major city in the U. S. Has de facto been allowing people to use the restroom of their choice. You are no more at risk by this than at risk by a sexual predator entering in his own choice when the restroom is empty.

You're coming from a place of fear not reality. The social contract of who uses which restroom only works when others are around. A straight male won't very likely be able to break that and assault you all in the presence of other people. Isolated you are just as equally unsafe in either situation. In a populace you are equally not at harm.

[SilenRose]

Have you looked at the statistics for sexual assault in the restrooms by state, county, and city?

I'm actually not. But thanks for assuming. I won't be going around checking peoples birth certificates and ID's before entering the bathroom but I had to point out you can't read the mind of someone who plans on doing harm. I could easily flip this and say you're planning on discriminating against gay men who don't fit the stereotypical gay persona.
Also people get assaulted and raped in front of people all the time but most people prefer to be a bystander. One case involves a woman raped on a subway train in front of a worker. She begged the worker for help but she just turned her back.

[Dred1614]

Why is it so hard to use the bathroom according to your gender? It's such a small issue.

[sjoes006]

Agreed. People should be able to use the restroom according to their gender.