Knee jerk impulses and prejudices ran amuck in North Carolina this week as one of the worst transphobic “bathroom” bills was passed. If you live in North Carolina, or any geography that gets a similar law, here is a suggested act of civil disobedience.
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North Carolina has adopted the latest transphobic law designed to keep transgender people from using the restroom facilities in which they feel most comfortable.
There is no logic behind passing this bill, or any of the similar bills being proposed around the country. In locations that have protections for transgender people there have been exactly… wait for it… NO cases of leverage by would be pedophiles or rapists. As one person on social media observed, there have been more senators arrested for inappropriate bathroom behavior than there have transgender people.
The legislation against this non-existent problem is even less logical. As soon as the North Carolina bill was passed, a number of fully transitioned transgender people flashed their pictures on Twitter and other social media all asking similar questions. Furry bearded men were asking if the North Carolina citizenry REALLY wanted them urinating next to their wives and daughters. Stylish and well adorned women were asking the same things about men’s room participants. (See below)
One radio show caller went on at length about how he did not want a man dangling his junk in the urinal next to his daughter in the women’s room. He was apparently unaware that this could never ever happen since women’s rooms are not equipped with urinals. That kind of logic would only occur to people thinking rationally about this however.
Tragically unjust, is the concept that these laws are somehow meant to protect “privacy.” Privacy should be a standard even in a same-gender environment, and in most facilities, that is the case. Privacy by definition should mean that another individual’s private body is protected in ALL public venues no matter who else is in them. The fact is, these laws are nothing but a grotesque invasion of privacy to the transgender people they target.
In my mind, if you are living in North Carolina, or anywhere such a bill gets passed, there is only one principled thing to do if you wish to fight this nonsense: enact civil disobedience until legal logic prevails.
It is pretty simple: Only walk in and use the restroom you are usually uncomfortable being in. For me as a cisgender male, if I were in North Carolina, that would be using the Women’s Room. Cisgender women who cared would be over using the Men’s Room.
If this proposal seems outlandish, or if it made you pause and think “He’s nust; Wow, I could never actually do that,” then you have some REAL soul searching to do:
That is exactly the discomfort being thrust upon transgender Americans.
Image: Flickr/Ted Eytan
Mix it up #NorthCarolina #CivilDisobedience @WipeTransphobia until privacy and dignity are restored. @WipeHomophobia pic.twitter.com/3b9OKjdqJb
— Rob Watson (@JandJDad) March 25, 2016
@PatMcCroryNC It’s now the law for me to share a restroom with your wife. #HB2 #trans #NorthCarolina #shameonNC pic.twitter.com/4b4OdmfmeN
— James P Sheffield (@JayShef) March 24, 2016
@JayShef @PatMcCroryNC funny this stuff is always about “men” using women’s bathrooms? Can’t have me in there? No no pic.twitter.com/U6YKY7BVH1
— Audrey Jocelyn (@kakkoii99) March 24, 2016
@JayShef @PatMcCroryNC Me too. pic.twitter.com/HF6ph0Bjbz
— Seth Marnin (@SethMarninADL) March 24, 2016
@JayShef @PatMcCroryNC oh yeah – me too! pic.twitter.com/2KpI2kuboo
— Beck Bailey (@TheBeckBailey) March 24, 2016
@JayShef @PatMcCroryNC And it’s the law for me to go in the men’s room with you, governor. pic.twitter.com/HNdEBC2W4i
— Princess Dracat (@DiracDrynx) March 24, 2016
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Source: 30dB.com – North Carolina and LGBT
This is the concern many people have about this kind of bill – it effectively breaks down cultural and legal barriers that have allowed women and girls to use restrooms and locker rooms free of male intrusion. In essence it says that any person can use any restroom or locker room, and no one has a right to challenge him/her. So women and girls will have to live with it if any man uses a woman’s restroom or locker room, for whatever reason (comfort, curiosity, predatory intentions, etc.). Essentially, it puts the safety, comfort and rights of a very small… Read more »
It is pretty simple: Only walk in and use the restroom you are usually uncomfortable being in. For me as a cisgender male, if I were in North Carolina, that would be using the Women’s Room. Cisgender women who cared would be over using the Men’s Room. If this proposal seems outlandish, or if it made you pause and think “He’s nust; Wow, I could never actually do that,” then you have some REAL soul searching to do: Hold up. I wouldn’t be so quick to promote that idea and I’ll tell you why. Please bear in mind why someone… Read more »
Sorry hit submit too soon. As for actions to take I don’t blame anyone for wanting to take action but there is a difference between civil disobedience and having a black cloud hang over you forever. Several rallies have already taken place including about 300 people getting together in front of the mayor’s mansion to chant “No Justice, No Peace”…..all through the night. Several restaurants have already started putting up signs saying that trangender people are more than welcome to use whichever bathroom they wish. Several conventions (namely anime/comic conventions) in NC have already stated that they are supportive of… Read more »
What is a visual gendered male? Is that a man?