Bathroom laws by country / state?

[JadeRose]

Well, I searched for a little while and I'm sure it's got to be here somewhere, but I haven't been able to find it.  It's probably right in front of me here too and I'm just being a bonehead.  I'm not sure if this is in the right forum either, but I'll give it a shot.

Do we have a listing of bathroom laws by country and/or state here that we can reference?

I've been full-time for almost three months, and have been using the ladies room in public places when I absolutely haven't been able to hold it.  I obviously don't pass too well, based on the reactions I've been getting.  There are very few gender neutral restrooms here, and I don't own a smartphone.

I've been told that if mother nature is calling me as loud as she can, I have a fundamental right to use any facility, regardless.

After reading some of the threads in the bathroom news forums, I find my anxiety increasing, specifically for fear of being arrested for "disturbing the peace," or at the worst being labeled a "sex offender" if a paranoid or uneducated person makes a complaint against me.

I'm unemployed and fear having to check that "have you ever been arrested" box on every job application.  It's difficult enough for me to even get an interview being trans without having to worry about that.  I am not a perv, I only go to the bathroom to answer mother nature's call, and I have never been arrested for anything - I want to keep it that way.  Being unemployed, I don't have the financial resources to properly defend myself here in the "land of the free."

I've heard some people print out and keep copies of these statues and laws with them in case of situations like this.  I'd like to at least do that in case an uneducated officer attempts to arrest me out of ignorance and appeasement.  I'm continuing to search on Google, but I was wondering is there a listing or even a links/wiki page somewhere here that would help me?  If we don't, is it something we may want to consider?

[Brooke777]

Sorry, I can't answer your questions. But, in Washington State you are supposed to use the facilities that coincide with the gender you identify with. Don't know if this does you any good or not.

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

It is the same here in Oregon.  Transpeople can not be discriminated against by law here.

[JoanneB]

From your avatar I wouldn't think there was a problem

You'll also need to add cities to your quest. Your best bet may be a specific destination by destination search for news stories on or at the state level LGBT or trans specific web sites. Even in areas where there are anti-discrimination laws for TG people, the "Bathroom nuts" tend to win out, even though they can never relate more than one or two sensationalized Jerry Springer type news stories of some guy in a dress in the ladies room.

I am only part time. When I am out presenting as female I only use the ladies room. In a land of what seems to be 5'4" tall women, at 6ft I do tend to get looks. Not once have I had the rarely heard reactions when a TG has an encounter with a bathroom nut.

While I was at the Maryland Senate hearing on SB212, aka the bathroom bill, I heard testimony about those encounters. Mostly the religious zealotry pervert shouting. Once even calling mall security. That was the worse. In the middle of hillbilly redneck country if that same woman always walked into the men's room, I am sure the typical outcomes would be far different than those of using the ladies.

In my group almost all are full time. When one member was having an issue with her employer over bathroom use there were several discussion on this over the course of several months. (BTW-in her case it was in a trans rights county in MD) Not one ever mentioned having a problem using the ladies.

On the flip side for your concern, to be honest I am not sure if there are specific laws that state men shall not use the ladies yada yada yada. If you are doing some other dastardly deed, then sure, you can get charged with something.

BTW - a letter from a therapist and perhaps your endo may come in handy as a Get Out of Jail Free card. Sure couldn't hurt

[Rita]

First time I walk into the womans room I am so scared of getting arrested >.<
But when im dressed as a girl I am not using the mans room.

[Carbon]

I couldn't find any laws in my state, which is kind of weird but I guess why would there be laws? Like why would a man want to use a women's rest room and vice versa? If they have ill intentions like harassment there are already laws barring that. Also if we're talking about private property (like a restaurant) there doesn't have to be a law, they own the bathroom so they can have whatever rules they want (except for things that are illegal like having separate bathrooms based on race). If someone isn't following the rules the owner can ask that person to leave.

I think there is a very real risk of the fears you talk about, but I also feel that increasingly a judge would take the tran's person side if it came to court. Especially if you had not been told by the owner of wherever you are that you are required to use the men's restroom, if you went to court it would be like:
"Why are you using the women's restroom?"
-"Well I consider myself a woman, plus it's not exactly safe for me to use the men's restroom."
"Well you may consider yourself a woman, but as of right now the state considers you a man."
-"I have this letter from my therapist stating that I have GID disorder and that I should be treated as a woman."
"Did you do anything that you are aware of that might make other people uncomfortable?"
-"Not unless they're just uncomfortable from me being there, but it's not like I can help needing to use the bathroom from time to time."

I don't mean to say there's no risk but most of us will probably not ever see the worst case scenario like actually being charged with one of those crimes, we probably won't even get taken to court if we're discrete and don't set off someone's double prejudice (like being trans and a race they are prejudiced against at the same time).

Also, if someone did complain and I ended up talking to the owner of the restaurant or whatever I would simply explain that I had no ill intentions, apologize, and if necessary promise never to do it again (even though that might mean never using the rest rooms there again). I can't imagine someone calling the police after that unless I had also been accused of harassing someone. If it was at my university or work place I probably would fight it though.

[Elle]

Well as long as you have some form of documenation stating your trans status and your dressed as female I see no problems.

[Stephe]

After reading some of the threads in the bathroom news forums, I find my anxiety increasing,

This is once of those bad cycles to get into. You feel anxious, people pick up on this and wonder why. They study you trying to figure out why you are acting so weird which just makes you more anxious and it grows into a monster. I've been using the ladies room for years, even when I was quite the gender queer. No one has ever said anything to me. Just go in like you are supposed to be in there, do your thing, wash your hands and leave. Don't primp, brush your hair, put on makeup etc if you don't pass very well. This is another instance where a good voice can defuse the situation. "Excuse me?" in a female voice if someone did question you would shut them up. Just knowing you could do that removes a LOT of anxiety.

[Rita]

I used the ladies room for the first time on Sunday, because I was 100% girl mode and passed well.  I was scared senseless I just grabbed my friends shoulder and closed my eyes.

It worked out well though.  Afterall it is just a bathroom but te mens room would of been dangerous.

[Brooke777]

I used the ladies room for the first time on Sunday, because I was 100% girl mode and passed well.  I was scared senseless I just grabbed my friends shoulder and closed my eyes.

It worked out well though.  Afterall it is just a bathroom but te mens room would of been dangerous.

That's a big step. Congrats!!

[Cindy]

Australia seems to be a bit ahead of the pack. There are gender neutral toilets that are self cleaning around the city (Adelaide), so they are always clean and can be used by anyone. Before I was FT I would use female when presenting as female and male at other times. Nowadays I use female all the time and heaven can help anyone who wants to dispute it.

[kimdp999]

I can relate to this one.  One of those milestones I suppose.  Used the ladies room in femme the first time at a rest stop on the way to back Portland last October, it was also my first time out in public as Kimberly.  Fortunately the rest area was pretty quiet and no issues.  The next day I went to the mall in femme and when I went in to the ladies room it was empty, but then it became fairly crowded.  It was a little more stressful exiting that time.....  I didn't stick around to chat or check my make up lol;)

Kimberly