Washington- Transgender woman in fight to use restrooms

[SandraJane]

The Columbian



Transgender woman in fight to use restrooms


She's asked state to rule whether bar's exclusion policy is discrimination


By Paris Achen, Columbian Staff Reporter | Sunday, September 16, 2012


http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/sep/16/transgender-woman-in-fight-to-use-restrooms/



Photo by Troy Wayrynen

"I'm trying to give them a chance to talk to me, give them information and maybe change their minds about me." Norma Ballhorn Transgender woman v "My policy is, when ladies tell me they don't want him in there, I don't let him in. My concern for the women's safety is more important." Joel Sweeten Manager, 3 Monkeys Pub


Vancouver resident Norma Ballhorn has worked hard to become a woman. She takes a concoction of hormones, changed her name from "Norman" to "Norma," updated her driver's license to reflect her female identity and wears clothing with feminine embellishments, such as butterfly sleeves. But Ballhorn, 56, still isn't allowed to use the ladies room at three Clark County bars, she said.

"They're using their right to refuse service to discriminate against me," Ballhorn said.

She filed a complaint Monday against Legends Food & Fun with the State Human Rights Commission. She said she is considering filing complaints against Icehouse Bar & Grill and 3 Monkeys Pub on the same grounds.

[MadelineB]

Transgender customer denied restroom access
by Tim Gordon, KGW Staff
NWCN.com
Posted on September 17, 2012 at 10:36 PM

http://www.nwcn.com/home/170133966.html

VANCOUVER – A transgender customer who identifies herself as a woman says she is being discriminated against by some Hazel Dell area bars because they won't let her use the women's room.

At Legends, server Sabrina Brenneise said they have no problem with Ballhorn's transgender identity.
"It's the fact that she's still a boy and she wants to go in the woman's restroom and use the woman's room with the stall opened, with her skirt hiked up and standing up, like a guy would, and that makes it kind of an issue," Brenneise said.

Brenneise said Ballhorn became aggressively upset when told not to use the women's room. Ballhorn denied that claim, and said she even tried to comply.

An analyst with the [Washington State] Human Rights Commission said there is no specific state law regarding transgender individuals and restroom use, but the commission will look at broader freedom from discrimination laws as it investigates the case.

WATCH: http://www.nwcn.com/home/170133966.html