Today I went to the local flea market and I sat and talked with a very liberal friend. Then as I was leaving, a police officer followed me out and then she called to me and told me that the owner of the flea market had contacted her because she felt uncomfortable with me in there. I wasn't even over dresssed. All I had on was a nice pair of tight jeans, a peach colored blouse, my black wig  and my white skimmers.  However, the officer cited me with a  no trespassing, and she told me that if I come back in dressed as a woman, I'll be taken to jail.

Gina 

Gina,

That really sucks!  Since when is it illegal to cross dress?  I think that's discrimination, plain and simple.  Maybe you need to find a new part of the country, or find out what you are doing that seems to scare people?  Sheesh, I just don't know what to say.  My blood is boiling.

Kristi

If you don't mind being outed, I would fight it. Can set a precident that will stop the police from doing that to anyone else.

I'll 'me, too' Susan's advice.  Sometimes standing up for yourself with all the dignity you can muster can cause them to back down and offer an apology.

"Shame is the hammer others use to beat us into submission; guilt is the anvil on which we are pummeled."
  --Lacey Leigh

Karen

Wow Gina, that's just unbelievable to me. I'm sorry to hear you had that experience. I know you've talked about the community where you live being a little "small-minded" like that, but to have someone threaten you with arrest is just unbelievable. I think you've said that you don't want to move, but I'd really consider moving to a city where you can be you as much as possible and not worry about being arrested for being dressed. Stay strong, Meghan

Gina,

Sorry you're dealing with this kind of discrimination. Count me as another me-too for fighting it. Is there a chapter of It's Time America in your state? Or another organization that might be able to help with transgender discrimination issues? Your local police department needs serious LGBT sensitivity training.

Zythyra

Thanks girls for your replies. It would have been nicer if the owner of the Flea Market had spoken to me personally instead of involving the police. I had checked with the local police dept a few years ago, and they were able to tell me that cross-dressing is not against the law, but wht the officer ahd said was that the owner felt uncomfortable with me being in there. While I was sitting with my friend, I watched a lot of people as they passed her booth, and I never saw any bad expressions.

As for being outed, I've come to a point in my life where I don't really care as long as I'm able to dress the way that I feel comfortable. Like I've said before, as long as I'm not causing any problems to people, then they shuldn't be bothered with me.

So now to avoid being put into jail, I now can no longer go into the Flea Market dressed. It's a shame that I have to abide by someone's rules just because they think that they may lose their customers. If they took a look around, they'd see that right now more people are lookers than they are buyers.

Thank you for you kind thoughts Meghan. I could move a half hour from where I'm at now, but I've got to worry about keeping my employment.

Very good suggestion Zythyra about trying to find a GBLT group, but unfortunately there aren't any in the area. It's strange though, but a homosexual is more accepted than a transgender is.

Gina

QuoteVery good suggestion Zythyra about trying to find a GBLT group, but unfortunately there aren't any in the area. It's strange though, but a homosexual is more accepted than a transgender is.

Gina,

Does your state have a Human Rights Commission? That might be a possible channel, You could ask them what laws are on the books in your state. This treatment you're getting is really awful! You shouldn't have to move, or not be able to be who you are in public.

Zythyra

Hi Gina,

   First I felt bad about how you were treated and then I got angry.  I would never go back there dressed as a man.  The person who needs education is the one who called the cops.  That person should have a discrimination suit brought against them.  The female cop should be taught a lesson too.  She should have told the owner that you had broken no laws and that discrimination is illegal.

   I know that your response depends upon your comfort level in how you handle this kind of thing, but didn't you say the place where you get your wigs make you come around when there are no other customers?  I think it's it time to teach your town a lesson, or, just tell everyone to bite it and move.

   I wish I could come out there and clean up that place.   


Rebis

Quote from: Rebis on September 01, 2007, 08:14:56 PM
   I wish I could come out there and clean up that place.   
Rebis

Yes, maybe we should all pack the place.  We would not be breaking any laws and they would have to deal with it.  Sorry I don't live closer.

Kristi

QuoteYes, maybe we should all pack the place.  We would not be breaking any laws and they would have to deal with it.  Sorry I don't live closer.

That would be great, a contingent of us from Susan's could come down and visit your town. They'll be sorry >

Z

Thanks girls for your support. Like I said, I had checked with the local police dept a few years ago and they told me that cross-dressing wasn't against the law unless I was using it to hide something. But I'm not sure about the Human Rights Commission. Yes I agree that I'm being treated unfairly. The officer told me that becasue the owner of the Flea Market owns the property, she can say whatever she wants.

I'd love for y'all to come here and fight this for me. Really good suggestion Rebis. And that is correct Rebis, I've broken no laws, and people are more leaning towards discrimination than anything else. If y'all could come down heer, we could go to City Hall carrying signs.

I had said about the wig store that they haven't had many customers there, and whne they do have a serious customer who is seriously thinking about buying a wig, that is when I quietly exit. I haven't bene back there in a month, and it looks like the Flea Market may be the same.
The officer told me that it was all right for me to go ther as a man, but as said if I'm dressed I'll be put in jail for trespssing.

Gina 

Quote from: Rebis on September 01, 2007, 08:14:56 PM
Hi Gina,

   First I felt bad about how you were treated and then I got angry.  I would never go back there dressed as a man.  The person who needs education is the one who called the cops.  That person should have a discrimination suit brought against them.  The female cop should be taught a lesson too.  She should have told the owner that you had broken no laws and that discrimination is illegal.

   I know that your response depends upon your comfort level in how you handle this kind of thing, but didn't you say the place where you get your wigs make you come around when there are no other customers?  I think it's it time to teach your town a lesson, or, just tell everyone to bite it and move.

   I wish I could come out there and clean up that place.   


Rebis

Unfortunately in most places in the US this kind of discrimination is not at all illegal.  It is unfair and it is wrong, but it is not illegal.  This is why we need anti-discrimination legislation.  Such legislation is not to give any of us special rights, but it is necessary to assure that each of us has equal rights.  In the current political and social climate in much of "middle America" there is not much sympathy for either gays or TG folk. 

These stories are becoming more and more unbelievable, unless there is more to them thats not being posted.
You've posted more bad encounter stories than I've had in 15 years.

Unfortunately, you are right Louise about this being not illegal. I was talking with my friend that I saw at the Flea Market yesterday, and she was appauld at what I had told her. She told me that if she were to win the lottery, she'd take me to Rhoad Island, New York, where I would be more accepted. But as said, she didn't see any one looking strangely at me when I was with her, but because cross-dressing hasn't been fully accepted, I will run into problems. So I'm now considering of retreating back to my closet.  BTW Amanda, I've detailed everything that transpired, and yes it is unbelievable on what is happening to me.

Gina

Gina,

I'd write a nice letter to the editor of your local paper.  I would say that:

- you were dressed appropriately and conservatively while you were there. 
- you were there only to shop and spend a lovely afternoon with your friend. 
- you have a right to wear whatever you want in public places.
- many women at the market were cross dressed wearing mens pants and shirts, yet they were left alone.
- the owner of the establishment clearly has homophobic motives and that you encourage the local residents to not support him.

That will get published.

Cindi

   If you do anything like Cindi has suggested, maybe you can add that you don't know whether you are the only person who does as you do there, but it would be nice if there could be some kind of open forum where the topic can be discussed and maybe a resolution proposed on how others are expected to behave toward you.

   That's just a thought.  I realize it might not be practical.  The town may even decide to ban you for all eternity.  I'd like to think that they would just modern up and decide that you and others like you and us are good citizens to have around.


Rebis   without anger this time

It would be cool if you could get the owner to publicly humiliate himself by being required to post a sign at the entrance including the types of people he refuses to admit into his establishment.  I'm pretty sure you could never make this happen... but how were you to know?  I'm just rolling the thought around in my mind.

Cindi

Gina,

You might try these folks:
Equality Florida

They look like they might offer some help.

Bet to you, sweetie!

Kristi

Gina I'm really sorry and anger to hear what happened. I'm with Cindi I would write the paper about this !
Jamie L.