Debunked: Houston Eliminates Gender-Based Restrooms

[Mick West]

Typical example:
http://www.truthandaction.org/houston-eliminates-gender-based-restrooms/
[bunk]
It's now legal for men to use women's bathrooms, showers, and dressing facilities – and vice-versa – thanks to the passing of the Equal Rights Ordinance in Houston, TX last Wednesday night.

Mayor Parker, Houston's first openly gay mayor, called it "most personally meaningful thing I will ever do as mayor."
...
Careful next time you venture into a restroom in Houston, you and your kids might get an eyeful of something you didn't expect.
[/bunk]This is bunk for two reasons.

Firstly, the bathroom clause was removed from the bill weeks before it passed:
http://www.msnbc.com/craig-melvin/houston-passes-equal-rights-ordinance

A final vote was pushed back earlier this month after critics raised issues with what's been dubbed "the bathroom clause." Parents and others expressed concerns that transgender people would be allowed to use public restrooms of the gender in which they identify themselves. The clause was ultimately removed, but transgender people can still file a discrimination complaint under the process outlined for all protected classes.

Secondly, the clause never eliminated gender based restrooms. The actual clause was:

b) It shall be unlawful for any place of public accommodation or any employee or agent thereof to intentionally deny any person entry to any restroom, shower room, or similar facility if that facility is consistent with and appropriate to that person's expression of gender identity. It shall be a defense to prosecution for discrimination on the basis of gender identity under this article, however, if the defendant had a good faith belief that the gender or gender identity of the person discriminated against was not consistent with the gender designation of the facility. For purposes of this section, a defendant has a good faith belief if the manner in which the person represented or expressed gender to others (e.g. behavior, clothing, hairstyles, activities, voice or mannerisms) is not consistent with the gender designation of the facility the person attempted to access. Nothing in this section shall require construction of a new bathroom, shower room, or similar facility.

Note the clause specifically expects that restrooms are usually gender specific, and are designated as such. No changes are requested there. The law simply says that people who express a particular gender identity be allowed to used the appropriate restroom. It also says if they don't look like they are of that gender, then the business owner can deny them entry to the restroom.

It's a poorly worded clause, and has potential problems (what about people of indeterminate gender expression, or people who are simply not passing very well?). But the intent is clear - if a person looks and acts like a woman, then they should be able to use the women's restroom, and if a person looks and acts like a man, then they should be able to use the men's restroom

For example this person, formerly male.

Or this person, formerly female:

 

[JeffreyNotGeoffrey]

Thanks for that post Mick. *eyeroll, as this shouldn't matter* I'm a crossdresser and have ventured in public. I know well enough to stay away from the public restrooms as going in door #1 (women's) is an invite to making a scene and getting charged with some sort of sexual deviancy. Door #2 (men's) can get you a prostitution charge even if you don't say a word or look at anyone.

 

[Jason]

Thanks for that post Mick. *eyeroll, as this shouldn't matter* I'm a crossdresser and have ventured in public. I know well enough to stay away from the public restrooms as going in door #1 (women's) is an invite to making a scene and getting charged with some sort of sexual deviancy. Door #2 (men's) can get you a prostitution charge even if you don't say a word or look at anyone.

Thanks for you honesty JeffreyNotGeoffrey. Is this an actual issue in the crossdressing community? What are transgender or crossdressing individuals supposed to do if they have to use the restroom, or do they mostly shop and eat out in communites that are more "friendly" to their way of life. I would imagine transgender individuals would have an easier time with this if they've had the operation already. As with the pictures Mick provided above there is no way of telling they weren't born that way. But they are the minority in the transgender community, with respect to being able to afford the surgery.

 

[Mick West]

Even though this ordinance did not pass, there are similar things in other parts of the county (and, of course, the world).

http://mediamatters.org/blog/2014/01/31/one-month-later-how-californias-transgender-stu/197864

One month after taking effect, California's new law allowing transgender students to use facilities and participate in programs that match their gender identities hasn't given rise to the horror stories predicted by the right-wing media, according to school officials around the state.

On August 12, Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown signed the School Success and Opportunity Act, extending to transgender students statewide rights that had already been recognized by large school districts like Los Angeles Unified School District. The passage of the law, which took effect on January 1, catalyzed a conservative misinformation campaign featuring the false claims that transphobic bullying is "not a big problem," that the law would allow bathroom "free-for-alls" with students exploiting the law to use opposite-sex restrooms, and that harassment would spike in restrooms and locker rooms.

Similar legislation passed in Canada last year. Although C-279 did not actually mention anything specific like bathrooms, critics dubbed it the "bathroom bill", and suggested it would allow men the legal right to go into girls changing rooms. Since the bill passed, no such problems were reported.

https://www.theinterim.com/politics/c-279-passes/

In a 149-137 vote, C-279, a private member's bill that would add amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and hate crimes law by adding gender identity and gender expression to the specially protected classes of people, passed Parliament on March 20 and will now move to the Senate. In 2011, a previous version of the bill passed the House but died in the Senate when the federal election was called.
...
Groups such as REAL Women, Campaign Life Coalition, and the Canada Family Action Coalition opposed the bill, saying it would effectively abolish the distinction between male and female under Canadian law.

Some critics have also dubbed C-279 the "bathroom bill" saying it could give biological men a legal alibi to use women's bathrooms, shower rooms, and changing rooms. They worry that such a bill will lead to an increase in sexual assaults.

And then some states are pushing back:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-21870064

Lawmakers in Arizona are weighing a law requiring transgender people to use public toilets of the gender listed on their birth certificate.

Transgender protesters forced a halt to debate on the bill on Wednesday.

Last month, the state approved a human rights measure banning gender identity discrimination at public facilities.

In recent weeks, two other states passed laws ensuring equal access to gender-segregated facilities for transgender students.

The bill in Arizona's Republican-dominated legislature would make it a misdemeanour offence to use a public toilet, bathroom, shower, bath, dressing room or changing room associated with a gender other than what is on one's birth certificate.

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2014/01/31/3230881/utah-bathroom-transgender/

Rep. Mark Kennedy's (R) House Bill 87 would change Utah law to prohibit students from using "a public school's gender-segregated bathroom if the bathroom does not correspond to the student's gender." Kennedy told a local newspaper that the bill was a reaction to California and designed to make sure that no similar protections are given in Utah to transgender students. "We are just trying to make sure people are comfortable," he argued.

But defining a person's gender based on their birth certificate or a doctor's examination of the "physical examination of the individual's genitalia," as his bill aims to do, would hardly accomplish that objective.

 

[JeffreyNotGeoffrey]

Thanks for you honesty JeffreyNotGeoffrey. Is this an actual issue in the crossdressing community? What are transgender or crossdressing individuals supposed to do if they have to use the restroom, or do they mostly shop and eat out in communites that are more "friendly" to their way of life. I would imagine transgender individuals would have an easier time with this if they've had the operation already. As with the pictures Mick provided above there is no way of telling they weren't born that way. But they are the minority in the transgender community, with respect to being able to afford the surgery.

Yeah it is. I'm not trans[gender], but it is still an issue for many of us. You are correct in that, if you are in a friendly zone, people don't care. At the bar I go to for Friday meetings and pool I use the men's room. I just feel more comfortable that way, but I know I don't have to fear much. Basically if you really want to know what it does, it forces my kind to stay at home. Too many of us fear what will happen outside the "safe" walls of our homes, if those are even safe. Bathroom usage is rather low on the list. Higher on the list of phobias is getting opening mocked or bullied on the streets in broad daylight. Getting laughed at in general or denied services at stores, but the larger fears simply put are rape and assault. Cis-normal men have this weird issue of noticing a cd or a transwoman and NOT reading them (ie figuring out what they are). They then let their boy minds run rampant with sexual fantasies...until they do get the picture. For some men it just means, ewwww, which isn't flattering, but is tolerable. Other men feel like somehow I've made them gay, and they get angry. Most are ok, but some may try to take matters in their own hands to get revenge on me for "tricking" them. This has thankfully never happened to me, but it has happened to others. That's the reason some of us are called (disparagingly) traps. Idiot boys think this is about them and us having an irresponsible sex drive instead of it being about us expressing who we are unabashedly, with out any shame, and most importantly respectfully with pride.
I've taken the plunge, because I wanted to and wanted to get the word out there. It is estimated that 1 in 10 men are crossdressers. It cuts across ethnic, social, and religious lines. We are legion and are out there. Most of us are too damn scared to speak up for numerous reasons, social, economic, and marital, but we are here. I hope this helps. I became too tired of hiding and being scared, and it feels so good to get out of the closet and in to the sun.
And yes the idiocy of these laws should be rampantly apparent to anyone with eyes to see. It's like the papers please laws. Will we be hiring someone to be checking birth certificates at EVERY bathroom in the country, or will we just ask men and women to drop their drawers so we can see their genitalia before entering the washroom. I swear some social conservatives need to think about the effects of these frivolous, hate/fear based laws. And for fuck's sake, why isn't there a FAMILY bathroom option so this ISN'T an issue?

 

[Jason]

I swear some social conservatives need to think about the effects of these frivolous, hate/fear based laws. And for fuck's sake, why isn't there a FAMILY bathroom option so this ISN'T an issue?

They often do when it hits home, like Dick Cheney. Thanks for sharing your experiences, its an eye opener. My only experience in with Trans is going out to NY clubs, and the movie NORMAL 2003. Freaking awesome movie. In his situation though he became a CD then transgender who still wanted to be with his wife. It really hit home the struggles people like that go through, it was heart breaking. At one point you feel horrible for the wife and kids and I couldn't help but to think how selfish he was, but as the movie progressed you began to understand him better and what they go through. Great movie

 

[JeffreyNotGeoffrey]

That is an especially prescient issue for many, whether or not to come out to a significant other. I will argue from experience that holding that back is like using a double edged sword with no hilt. Someone is getting hurt, and more than like it will be you. That is part of why I'm out and about now. Thinking the name here needs to be changed...
Also in defense of the family in that movie, not all CDs and trans folk are noble nice folk. Some are incredibly selfish asses just demanding more and more attention and energy from those around them. I try to be nonoffensive in my presentation for one, but I try to not overtly force this on people in my life.

 

[Pete Tar]

Thanks for that post Mick. *eyeroll, as this shouldn't matter* I'm a crossdresser and have ventured in public. I know well enough to stay away from the public restrooms as going in door #1 (women's) is an invite to making a scene and getting charged with some sort of sexual deviancy. Door #2 (men's) can get you a prostitution charge even if you don't say a word or look at anyone.

Those are some interesting and very specific fringe problems some of us can never imagine having to deal with.
When you do go out like that, is it a spur of the moment week-day thing, or a friday night/weekend social event thing? Do you need to choose an environment beforehand that it's 'safe' to be out in, or do you just take your chances and hope for acceptance?

 

[Jason]

Those are some interesting and very specific fringe problems some of us can never imagine having to deal with.
When you do go out like that, is it a spur of the moment week-day thing, or a friday night/weekend social event thing? Do you need to choose an environment beforehand that it's 'safe' to be out in, or do you just take your chances and hope for acceptance?

I would add to those questions by also asking where you reside. Do you live in an area like LA or NY where it is more socially accepted? It's sad to even have to consider these things, but understanding your situation could help others in similar situations.

 

[JeffreyNotGeoffrey]

Those are some interesting and very specific fringe problems some of us can never imagine having to deal with.
When you do go out like that, is it a spur of the moment week-day thing, or a friday night/weekend social event thing? Do you need to choose an environment beforehand that it's 'safe' to be out in, or do you just take your chances and hope for acceptance?

I'm more and more "out", quite frankly because I want to be. I live in Las Vegas. It's an odd mix of very liberal, very libertarian, and very conservative (as in old school). I like going out for a sandwich at a deli looking like a "normal" woman out during the day for food (jeans, flats, T, minimal makeup) or going to the store. I know! We have the same needs (being jokingly sarcastic). However when I get asked to go somewhere or to my bar to play pool, I do try to dress it up. At those times I feel much more passable. I do have to make interesting strategic decisions. At times I go for the 50/50 look that I call tomboy. People see the top half and usually think boy, and the bottom half (strappy sandals and painted toes) is the girl half. But that's what I try mostly to do is blend in, and when I go out I tend to always have a buddy one way or another. One person can be prey, two gives most something to debate. I'm also off with a woman usually, and people seem to see what they want to see. In this case a couple. It gets odd if she's a mom with a kid, as they often tell me I have a beautiful baby.

 

[JeffreyNotGeoffrey]

Also I've been on the Strip too. 99% of workers at places don't care. And most people tend to their own knitting. You do hear giggles or laughs or pointed half heard conversations. All of which you can't be ENTIRELY sure is about you, but still you have that feeling. I tend to shut it out. Honestly I don't care what people think most of the time as long as they stay civil.

 

[Pete Tar]

Not a pastime for anyone who suffers from social anxiety then.

 

[JeffreyNotGeoffrey]

It still is, but they tend to stay home. For some there's an intense fear of telling anyone for whatever reasons. What I get told a LOT is that I'm "brave" and "confident", and I tell them I still worry and get scared. That and they are seeing the end result of years of hard work and the help of a lot of female friends. Some of us tackle the issue for... reasons, some don't. Again for reasons. We all have them. Work, school, family, etc. The oddest thing I have to comment on, is how easily kids under 8 tend to deal with it. It isn't a thing for most of them. They just deal with it.

 

[David Fraser]

Also I've been on the Strip too. 99% of workers at places don't care. And most people tend to their own knitting. You do hear giggles or laughs or pointed half heard conversations. All of which you can't be ENTIRELY sure is about you, but still you have that feeling. I tend to shut it out. Honestly I don't care what people think most of the time as long as they stay civil.

I have a couple of acquaintances that cross dress and if we meet for a drink it will be in the "gay village" area of Manchester. No one looks twice but if they walk a few hundred yards away to the bus station the situation changes. It is bizarre to observe. Also one friend mentioned how they, like me, feel uncomfortable in the "gay village" as at times there great a great deal of sexual energy in the air. That is just the area and we both feel the same in a hereto nightclub.

I remember a man in the town I lived in the 70s constantly getting ridiculed in public for cross dressing. However in private the women always praised his style. However it is saddening to know sod all has changed in 40 years.

 

[JeffreyNotGeoffrey]

Stuff has changed, and I'm hopeful. Like I said, at least in my town, I can fully dressed go get lunch, spend a day at the mall, catch a movie, then go out for dinner and drinks with friend, and a free concert afterwards at a casino. That's all happened over various days, but it could've been smooshed into one day. All those places would be "normal" places that aren't overtly that way to my knowledge. Vegas is just a pretty friendly town to trans/cd folk. They don't care where the money comes from as long as they get it, and that's what I like about business at times.

 

[David Fraser]

Stuff has changed, and I'm hopeful. Like I said, at least in my town, I can fully dressed go get lunch, spend a day at the mall, catch a movie, then go out for dinner and drinks with friend, and a free concert afterwards at a casino. That's all happened over various days, but it could've been smooshed into one day. All those places would be "normal" places that aren't overtly that way to my knowledge. Vegas is just a pretty friendly town to trans/cd folk. They don't care where the money comes from as long as they get it, and that's what I like about business at times.

I am glad to hear it and irrespective what you say it does take a certain courage and resilience to do what you want. To put that in context, when I joined the British army I trained as a medic. Later I trained as a nurse and I was posted to the same units but their reaction was entirely different due to "gender roles". A medic takes 6 months, which I had done and a nurse 3 years, but the gender perception blinded them. I ended up not mentioning been a nurse and just saying I was a very well qualified medic. All to disperse the gender and sexuality bias which in reality should not have bothered me.

Don't downplay your actions as without that most people will not have a go out of fear. At the end of the day it is all about someone been happy yet others are intimidated by that. That says more of their insecurities and their need to keep the predominant gender roles.

Sorry for the odd rant.

 

[Gunguy45]

It seems so odd to me...the attitudes, not the behavior...and most would think I would be a judgmental type. Raised on a farm in the Mid-west, career military, like pickup trucks, Nascar, and guns.

Maybe the traveling all over the world, having a MIL that was gay, hanging out at gay clubs with them, actually talking to people broadened my view. Was I hit on a few times, yes, and a simple "I'm straight, just here with my family/friends" cleared it right up.

I've always said, people are people. Their actions prove their worth. Although, IMO, if you are going to CD, at least look good when you do it. Don't wear a dress and not shave your legs! Of course thats how I feel about women as well.

 

[Mick West]

Maybe the traveling all over the world, having a MIL that was gay, hanging out at gay clubs with them, actually talking to people broadened my view.

I think you could drop the "Maybe" from that sentence

 

[Gunguy45]

True...but, after reflection, I think I was just born that way (to steal a phrase), or it started way earlier at least. I remember 2 guys who were pretty effeminate in HS (yes, a very small school, 400 or so, 9-12), but I had no problem with them either. I was friends with motorheads, jocks, dopers, nerds, cheerleaders (ohhhh, the cheerleaders), etc.

Maybe reading so much SF (Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke, etc) as a child influenced me more than I thought.

 

[WeedWhacker]

Maybe reading so much SF (Heinlein, Asimov, Clarke, etc) as a child influenced me more than I thought.

Just "shows to go ya" ( ) I see your ScreenName, and avatar....and then am "blown away" (yeah...I went there!) to also read this line, from your post above. (Because, those three author examples influenced me, beginning back in my prepubescent years and hence).

So...."appearances" can be deceiving. (Book cover "judging", and all that cliche').

 

[JeffreyNotGeoffrey]

I've always said, people are people. Their actions prove their worth. Although, IMO, if you are going to CD, at least look good when you do it. Don't wear a dress and not shave your legs! Of course thats how I feel about women as well.

I've found the best way to put things is this. If as a man you can barely dress yourself, what makes you think you will dress well as a woman. It's like not getting the subtle strategy in checkers and wanting to instead try your hand at chess... against Kasparov.

 

[FreiZeitGeist]

Berlin tries the other way... In one district of Berlin there will be Restrooms for "the third Gender" installed. For Transsexuals, hermaphroditism or people just being unshure wich Gender they are...

Google-Translation of this Article:
http://www.bz-berlin.de/artikel-archiv/erster-bezirk-fuehrt-die-unisex-toilette-ein

First District introduces the unisex toilet Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg gets unisex toilets. Transsexuals is going to the toilet easier.

Men left door, right door women. Or perhaps by those in the middle? If you visit in the future in a public building the toilet, please pay close attention on the pictogram. Because now comes the big toilet confusion.

The Borough Assembly Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg decided to introduce "unisex toilets". With the votes of the SPD, Greens and Left a request from the Pirate Party was adopted in the district parliament. It said verbatim: "To exist only for men and women separate toilets, so this disadvantages people who can assign either Neither of these two sexes, or want, or one sex, the visible does not match their biological sex."

In plain: You want to transsexuals, and all other people who do not feel clearly a gender belonging, facilitate the transition to the toilet. Kreuzberg CDU chief Timur Husein and his faction voted against. Husein: "This existing toilets to be sacrificed, without the problems that transsexuals have, is released. And the number of people affected is small. "

The district office needs to implement the BVV decision now. By 1 June, a trial phase in "high traffic buildings" planned. Councillor Hans Panhoff: "We check which addresses are eligible. First, the town halls, the office building in the Petersburg road, the health department Urbanstraße. "Existing toilets are the warning signs for" unisex toilet. "

Panhoff said "The costs are still unclear, because the equipment is supposed to be gender neutral," A changing room is to be present, whether there will be urinals, is still unclear. One thing is certain: In any case, it must continue to be in the building and separate places for men and women. And in the BVV is already thinking ahead. Unisex school toilets and unisex changing rooms of sports clubs are talking.

If you missed it. Conchita Wurst - a beared Dragqueen from Austria has won the "Eurovision Song Contest" this year - the greatest pan-European Music Contest. I doesn´t know which Restroom Mr/Mrs. Wurst would prefer. In Berlin-Friedrichshain (s)he can use a door in the middle

 

[Gunguy45]

Well, Mick gave me that avatar a while back, I've never messed with it since it's better than I could probably do.

I have to say, I don't hang out here too much, but you folks and my DIY forum buds are way better than real people! Not that you aren't real people...I think. Hmmm...or???