Transgender student shoved out of Union toilets

[Shana A]

 Transgender student shoved out of Union toilets

http://www.leedsstudent.org/2013-02-08/ls1/ls1-news/transgender-student-shoved-out-of-union-toilets

A transgender student has been verbally abused and pushed out of the Union's female toilets. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, during Fruity.

Alexis, a Microbiology student who is currently transitioning to become a woman, was shouted at and shoved in the chest by two girls. Alexis spoke to Leeds Student about the incident: "I'm very angry at those girls. I know better than anyone that I don't look like a girl yet. Misgendering me is something I expect, but grabbing my breasts and shoving me is completely unacceptable."

Security were called to the scene and spoke to the girls in question. A Union spokesperson told this paper: "As a Union we support the right of transgender students to use the toilets in which they feel most comfortable. A member of our security team explained the situation to the two females and they said that they understood."

Alexis added: "It's wrong for a natural-born girl to insult a trans girl, especially one who prefers to dress more masculine, simply because she likes to. We're doing the best we can – you're lucky to have been born that way, and we can dress however we please, just like you."

------

Trans woman student abused and shoved out of toilets at Leeds University
by Joseph Patrick McCormick
8 February 2013, 3:13pm

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2013/02/08/trans-woman-student-abused-and-shoved-out-of-toilets-at-leeds-university/

A Leeds University Students' Union spokesperson told this paper: "As a Union we support the right of transgender students to use the toilets in which they feel most comfortable. A member of our security team explained the situation to the two females and they said that they understood."

Alexis, a second year student, did not wish to take any further action but added: "The security staff were excellent, and I really appreciate what they did".

[MiaOhMya!]

Sounds more like a big misunderstanding.

Alexis herself said she's aware "I don't look like a girl yet," and that she "prefers to dress more masculine."

The girls said, after the situation was explained, that "they understood."

So you're at the toilet and someone you perceive as a male, in masculine clothes, strolls in. With all the types of fellas around there I'd be scared myself if I thought a pervert were refusing to leave.

I understand both (well, all three) viewpoints.

[Aye.Andy]

I think this is another misunderstanding.

Alexis said that they other girls dressed more masculine than her, merely because they wanted to, so what right did they have to criticize her appearance and way of life? Though, the wording was quite confusing. I just had to stick up for Alexis!

[Naomi]

Yeah the wording is kind of confusing but I agree that it sounds like Alexis was referencing the other girls when she talked about the masculine style of dress.