Businesses have right to refuse service {Opinion}

[LostInTime]

The Arizona Republic

I am saddened that a transexual's "crying game" is receiving so much space in your paper.

[Hazumu]

A comment in the same article...

*  USAMom
    * Posted: Jul 25, 2007 at 9:14 PM
   
I wouldn't visit a business that allowed a man to use the woman's bathroom under ANY circumstances. Being PC has gone too far when I can't feel safe using a women's bathroom when going out. Why don't my rights count?

I've heard variants on this where I work...  It's all about their rights, and we TG have none.

Karen

[HelenW]

The whole thrust of that letter is based on the assumption that women's bathrooms are truly "safe" and that trans identified people in that space pose a danger.  It's blatant bigotry. 

Too many people claim that their "rights" include the right to unfairly discriminate because they feel a bit uncomfortable with people who are different.  Their comfort is more important to them over the needs of all people to have safe clean facilities in which to tend to their personal needs.

I'll be going FT soon and hope I won't see this sort of thing at work when I come out but I sadly expect that I probably will.

hugs & smiles
Emelye

[Laura Elizabeth Jones]

It is so amusing that the moment any sort of bigotry is challenged people cry about their rights being violated. People are so stupid.

[Sheila]

I might get jumped on for my comment, but in a way I feel that they should feel safe. If we go into a restroom lets look and present ourselves of the gender that we feel. Going into a womans restroom with a full beard is not too smart, unless you are looking for trouble. Trans people have enough on our plates, then put something else on to the plate. We don't have to really pass all that much, but lets at least look the part and that goes for FToM. As far as the business goes, I think they are totally out of line. I remember when they started doing that, back in the 60's. I remember it was because of the racial issues. They didn't want black people in there stores.
Sheila

[Amanda2005]

"Those who refuse to conduct business with someone who practices a certain sexual behavior can in no wise be called a "Bigot" since that person is not being discriminated against due to race, color, national origin, or religion, but merely a CHOICE and a BEHAVIOR that they can certainly change."

Seems to me that someone is still living in the dark ages.  It's NOT a choice nor just a behavior that can be changed at will.  We were born with a defect and must do what we must to be comfortable and happy with ourselves.

[Hazumu]

We ought to save these comments, as they illustrate the kinds of attitudes that lead to prejudicial and bigoted behaviour towards transgenders.

We'll never be able to sway the writers of the comments about choice and sexual behaviour, nor the comment about not feeling safe if a human being now has or ever had a penis is in the sacred women's space of the restroom.  But those who are moderate and reasonable in their outlook on life can be persuaded to act to bring about the laws that will curtail the bigots from acting on their prejudices, or prosecute them if they act in a manner that violates such laws.

It's about fairness to all, and not punishing someone for what you think they might do, but for what they actually do that impedes the freedoms of another.

<huff, huff...>

Karen