Need to Pee in Arizona

[Sarah Louise]

http://now.msn.com/arizona-bathroom-bill-could-require-birth-certificate


A new "Bathroom Bill" in Arizona, coming up for debate on Wednesday, could conceivably have users of public bathrooms carrying their birth certificates — to prove that they have the right to use one. The new law would require someone to use the public restroom designated for the sex on their birth certificate — or face a misdemeanor charge. It's clearly aimed at undoing a recent Phoenix law making it illegal to discriminate against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people — including in public bathrooms. And of course, it's not the first time Arizonans have taken a close interest in a birth certificate. [Source]

[Devlyn]

<lights, siren>    Ma'am, do you have any idea what restroom you were going in back there? I'm going to need to see your license, registration, and piss pass.

[Sara Thomas]

For some reason I have a difficult time reconciling my base feelings about Arizona (benign) with some of it's actions.

I always think of them as Southern Canadians.

[Michelle G]

This just made the local news here in California, the stations Facebook page posted the article, you can just imagine the comments I'm reading!! The narrow minds of some people disgust me for sure, but there are also some very positive understanding folks as well.

  The whole thing reminds me of when black folk couldn't use white facilities.....sad

[suzifrommd]

So, which would you pick?

1. Go into the mens' room and risk, well, things that are not good?

2. Go into the ladies' room and risk arrest?

3. Squat somewhere outdoors and hope no one happens by?

[Jayr]

So, which would you pick?

1. Go into the mens' room and risk, well, things that are not good?

2. Go into the ladies' room and risk arrest?

3. Squat somewhere outdoors and hope no one happens by?

4. Pee before leaving your house and than hold it till you get home again.

Probably the safest option, if this bill actually passes.

[Michelle G]

Thankfully a lot of businesses are following the "family restroom" trend around here.

[Alainaluvsu]

I'd take my chances in the womens room....

But that bill is downright ridiculous. The spirit of the bill is only there to humiliate us or put is in danger. It's already illegal for pedophiles to expose themselves to kids, and this law wouldn't do anything to prevent them from going in the womens room and doing it... dressed as female or not. His excuse for it is the most obnoxious and ignorant thing I've heard in a long time. I have trouble remembering the last time I've seen something suspicious in the womens room. Maybe because it's never happened :O

[peky]

ANOTHER KIND GIFT FROMM THE EVER-LOVING REPUBLICANS

The proposal is scheduled for debate Wednesday in the House Committee on Appropriations and would make it a Class 1 misdemeanor for someone to enter a public restroom that is designated for the opposite sex.

It would be punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,500 fine. In a hotly debated move last month, the Phoenix City Council voted to give legal protections to transgender people under the city's anti-discrimination law.

A divided council approved a proposal (5-3), which added gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people from being discriminated against in city contracts, housing, employment, and public restaurants.

Opponents named it the "Bathroom Bill" because they claimed it would let transgender people use bathrooms for the opposite sex. Opponents, such as the conservative Center for Arizona Policy, opposed it because they feared it could be abused.

Officials with CAP were not immediately available for an interview. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Nancy Barto, a Republican from Phoenix,
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Bathroom-battle-heads-to-the-state-Capitol-198883601.html

Please remember this^^^ when you vote for President in 2016...I hope Ms. Michelle Obama runs for Office!

[Michelle G]

Disgusting POS!


When asked why the bill targeted trans people, Kavanagh explained that it's because he thinks "they're weird."

[Alainaluvsu]

Disgusting POS!


When asked why the bill targeted trans people, Kavanagh explained that it's because he thinks "they're weird."

I bet Hitler thought the Jews were weird...

[Jamie D]

ANOTHER KIND GIFT FROMM THE EVER-LOVING REPUBLICANS

Please remember this^^^ when you vote for President in 2016...I hope Ms. Michelle Obama runs for Office!

"Arizona lawmakers delayed a scheduled debate over equal access rights after dozens of transgender people flooded the Arizona House of Representatives Wednesday to fight a proposed law that would have made it illegal for them to use the bathroom of their preferred gender. Rep. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills, Ariz.) said he would delay his bill that seeks to make it a misdemeanor for anyone to use a public facility not associated with their birth gender. Kavanagh's announcement came during the beginning of a House committee meeting filled with dozens of transgender advocates."

This is how the deliberative system is supposed to work.

[Jamie D]

Disgusting POS!

When asked why the bill targeted trans people, Kavanagh explained that it's because he thinks "they're weird."

Here is the problem with unsourced quotations.  They can be taken out of context.

Let's read what Rep. Kavanagh actually said:

KAVANAGH: The city of Phoenix has crafted a bill that allows people to define their sex by what they think in their head. If you're a male, you don't go into a female shower or locker room, or vice versa. It also raises the specter of people who want to go into those opposite sex facilities not because they're transgender, but because they're weird.

I bet Hitler thought the Jews were weird...

Reductio ad Hitlerum  We are better than that.

[Alainaluvsu]

Reductio ad Hitlerum  We are better than that.

You might be chatty, but I am catty

[Constance]

Actually, text of the bill stated that one must use a restroom according to what's listed on one's birth certificate.

A PERSON COMMITS DISORDERLY CONDUCT IF THE PERSON INTENTIONALLY ENTERS A PUBLIC RESTROOM, BATHROOM, SHOWER, BATH, DRESSING ROOM OR LOCKER ROOM AND A SIGN INDICATES THAT THE ROOM IS FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF PERSONS OF ONE SEX AND THE PERSON IS NOT LEGALLY CLASSIFIED ON THE PERSON'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE AS A MEMBER OF THAT SEX.

Source: http://www.azcentral.com/insiders/brahm1700/2013/03/18/show-me-your-papers-before-you-pee/

The article also states that Mr. Kavanagh wrote this bill by himself. If this is true, how can the language of the bill requiring the birth certificate as proof be reconciled with his statement about self-identification?

[Jamie D]

Connie, I believe the intention of the bill is to prevent voyeurs from claiming to be transgendered.  I don't see it as being enforceable in any case.  It is clear to me that the concepts of sex and gender are being conflated within the mind of the author.  That is not unusual for those who are unfamiliar with our particular situation.

All the more reason for an active outreach program.  When transgender activists  "flooded the Arizona House of Representatives Wednesday to fight a proposed law that would have made it illegal for them to use the bathroom of their preferred gender."  This is what representative democracy should be about.

[Alainaluvsu]

It's enforceable by making it mandatory for employers to enforce it or face civil and / or criminal penalties.

[Jamie D]

It's enforceable by making it mandatory for employers to enforce it or face civil and / or criminal penalties.

You cannot cede governmental police powers to private interests.  You can make them post signs or regulations.  That's about it.

[Cindy]

You cannot cede governmental police powers to private interests.  You can make them post signs or regulations.  That's about it.

Is that a comment along the lines of: 'if you understand the structure of a snowflake then you need not fear an avalanche'?

[Amanda M]

Never mind God Bless America, God Help America!  Arizona is off my list of places to visit.