There is much discussion in the press at the moment about Transgender use of Toilet facilities…..Most of this noise is coming out of the USA, and a great deal of it appears to be motivated by Politicians trying to score points and find votes in the run up to the election.
The crux of the issue appears to be the belief that somehow a Transwoman using a Female restroom poses a threat to the safety of other Women also using the facilities. The Conservative Media Machine is focusing heavily on this threat. Fear mongering at its very finest.
Its remarkable just how many column inches and internet bandwidth has been swallowed up by this debate, about a function every single one of us has to perform. Given that I have a fairly large stake in this argument I figured I should put the current debate in the context of my own journey.
The first thing to note is that I am keeping a careful eye on what happens Stateside, because sadly where the U.S. goes, often many nations will follow.
The second fact, that may surprise some of my readers, is that I have never used a Female designated toilet. In all of my trips out, and during the last few weeks, when I have been “Full Time” I have avoided entering a Female toilet. Even when at work recently, I have opted for the twenty minute round trip home to use the toilet, rather than confront the issue in the office.
I see two reasons for this :-
- I have no intention of inducing fear or causing offence to anyone.
- I have no appetite for confrontation.
These two concerns have been strengthened by the tens of thousands of words written on this topic over recent weeks, and a couple of interesting questions posed by some colleagues. I genuinely fear for the outcome, which is a ridiculous state of affairs for someone who just wants to carry out a fundamental bodily function.
As far as the wider issues goes, especially in America, I’m really not sure where this story ends, but thus far it doesn’t look good. I’ve given a good deal of thought to my personal position. My current treatment regime is viewed as a “Reassignment Procedure.” Therefore the State sees me as Female for legal purposes, and as such it regards my Marriage with Jane as “Same Sex.” This being the case, I guess I need to get comfortable stepping over the threshold into the Ladies Room. I just hope that anyone I happen to meet in there, is living in the same century as I am.
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