Quote from: Steph on November 22, 2007, 10:58:23 PM
I have no problem with women using the women's washrooms Karen, you are a woman, TS Women are women, they always have been and always will be. It's men who I object to using our washrooms.
Steph
But it seems that some have said that possession of a penis bars one from using facilities reserved for women, even if the possessor is a full-on medically-certified transitioner.
I don't want guys in the locker room or toilet, either.
But I also don't want to be denied access merely on the technicality that I still possess one of those factory-equipment penises, nevermind how well I present nor how passible I may be.
Although I live in California, where there are laws preventing the denying of me access to facilities that match my gender presentation, and where the DMV provides a relatively easy method of changing the gender designator on my drivers' license, I work on a federal military reservation where said laws do not apply. I recently found from my immediate supervisor that Civilian Personnel had determined that I was not to be allowed into female restrooms. Essentially, unless I can find a unisex facility, I must use male facilities on base. Thankfully, most people who know of me look the other way when I break said rule (regularly.) But, they could make an issue of it.
And I haven't heard of a procedure to get that all changed once I finally do get SRS. My plan is to first apply for a court-ordered change of gender, then wait six weeks for the court date and granting of the legal change. After that, I'll apply to the Social Security Administration to change gender, then wait for it to propagate through the system (probably another two weeks.) Then I'll apply to the Air Force Personnel Center to change my gender in their records. Once I get the SF-50 form that shows the change is made, I will brazenly follow my flight chief into the restroom she uses and take the stall next to hers. And if they feel that I still do not have the right to use the ladies room after all that, I will ask for them to say so in writing and then start a discrimination proceeding.
My suggestion is to come up with some reasonable standard for determining when a transitioner should switch from one facility to the other. Other areas of the US are very much more restrictive than California is in these matters, although California can't beat Canada for progressiveness on this issue (help me out here, Dennis!)
Speaking of Dennis, I was amazed to find out just how progressive Canada is. It makes parts of the United States sound like repressive third-world countries when it comes to trans issues.
Anyway, can we come up with some guidelines here?
Karen