I am proud to live in Washingrton State, where the rights of transgender people to use the restroom that they are comfortable with using is protected.
http://www.hum.wa.gov/media/dynamic/files/223_Questions%20and%20Answers%20Regarding%20WAC%20162.pdfHere is an excerpt:
Q:
How does a business know if someone is really transgender or is just pretending to be transgender in order to gain access to gender segregated facilities?
A:
The rules do not prohibit asking legitimate questions about a person's presence in a gender segregated facility. It is suggested that these questions be asked in a polite and non-confrontational manner. In addition, it is extremely unlikely that someone who is pretending to be transgender, and who is ejected from a facility, will take the steps of filing a complaint or a lawsuit against that facili ty. If they do so, then the investigation conducted by an enforcement agency will uncover the fact that the person was not being honest about their status, and thus is not protected under the law against discrimination. Any individual who fraudulently claims to be transgender for the purpose of entering a gender segregated facility in order to engage in illegal activitymay also be subject to criminal prosecution.
I have not visited most restrooms around Washington State, but I am gratified to know that my state law allows me to use a restroom that matches my gender presentation. When I go out feeling as a normal woman in a dress, I like to know that my state law says that I can use the ladies room when I have to pee. When I have to use the restroom it is for a body function, not to peek.
Unfortunately there have been many times when I have presented as a man at a urinal that some neanderthal next to me seems to want to peek at me while I pee.