Melee Breaks Out Over Gender-Neutral Bathroom in L.A. School

http://www.advocate.com/transgender/2016/4/20/melee-breaks-out-over-gender-neutral-bathroom-la-school

The Advocate/By Neal Broverman April 20 2016 2:55 PM EDT

"A group of homophobic, transphobic individuals upset over a new gender-neutral restroom at the Santee Education Complex in Los Angeles made their feelings clear during a Tuesday protest, but received a furious response from the student body."

I was troubled by the video of local news coverage which used innuendo to cast aspersions on the gender-neutral restroom at the school.

I really can't understand why anyone would be upset by a gender neutral restroom - no one is making anyone use that restroom if I understand it's purpose correctly. I'd guess that it's presence is threatening to some people in some way.

I am glad that the students would be wiling to defend the rights of people to use such a restroom and I'm glad that the cowardly anti-LGBT bigots quickly figured out that they were not welcome and they scuttled away, but it concerns me that something very bad could have happened with people's emotions running that high. Luckily it didn't seem to.

The times are changing and those that refuse to adapt to change are going to be left on the wrong side of history.

Quote from: Eva Marie on April 20, 2016, 06:06:31 PM
I really can't understand why anyone would be upset by a gender neutral restroom -

Reading their sign informs us what group they belong to and that group is not offended by the restroom but rather are offended by our living presence on this planet.  They just took advantage of the restroom issue to once again let that be known.

Melee needs to be used more often on the boards. 

I think you mean as in the famous words of Captain Jack Sparrow " Parley"

I don't understand how people can create such a fuss over something like that. Technically, the school wasn't segregating gays from straights or trans from cis. It is simply a bathroom that anyone can use! There are neutral bathrooms in Lows and in most malls! However, it is a problem when it is in a school? I had a school with neutral restrooms and the locals did not act like that. (which says something, as a lot of them are transphobic)

Or hey, shouldn't we be getting rid of bathrooms in our own house? By their logic, that is what they are implying considering that they are technically gender neutral.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on April 20, 2016, 06:54:32 PM
Melee needs to be used more often on the boards. 

Agreed. And the word soirée is underused as well. "There was a melee at the redneck soirée" 🎉

This is Los Angeles.  Around here, even a library opening will attract a few cranks with picket signs looking to get camera time.  Remember the idiot with the rainbow wig and the John 3:16 signs who used to sit in front of the crowd at all the sporting events?  Like that.  Come to think of it, he met his fate here in L.A.  He took a hotel maid hostage and was sent to prison for a long, long time.

The good part is, the high school students stood up for people's rights and drove the cranks away.

Looks like the protest did cause quite a ruckus

Quote from: kittenpower on April 26, 2016, 09:21:36 PM
Agreed. And the word soirée is underused as well. "There was a melee at the redneck soirée" 🎉