In the midst of a national security crisis, an economic downturn and an unpredictable presidential election, many Americans have shifted their focus to the root of our turmoil: bathroom equality.
States such as Tennessee have recently introduced legislation preventing transgender public school students from using bathrooms that don’t match the gender on their birth certificate. Although the sponsor of the Tennessee bill took it off the table Monday, Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mt. Juliet, had previously amended the bill by creating an alternative restroom option for transgender students. Opponents rejected the amendment by claiming it endangered transgender students.
I don’t think we need what some have referred to as the “pee police,” but everyone must take into consideration both sides of the argument before creating or slapping down legislation.
I don’t understand why the government has to legislate who goes to the bathroom where. Before we know it, legislators will regulate how much toilet paper squares each person can use in a single bathroom trip.
At the same time, allowing people to use restrooms intended for the gender they weren’t born into presents dangers to both the transgender individual as well as the innocent children who need to go to the bathroom and/or locker room. Think about it this way: allowing people to enter bathroom facilities of whichever gender they choose provides sexual predators with opportunities under a false transgender identity.
The job of explaining sensitive topics such as the definition of a transgender person belongs to the parents. Children already grow up faster now than they did when I was younger. Parents don’t need to feel pressured to explain what transgender is before they think their child is ready.
Laws legislating bathrooms don’t affect just the toilet-only bathroom facilities, but also locker rooms and changing areas. After the state of Washington passed a law allowing transgender individuals to use bathrooms and locker rooms of their self-identified gender, a man in Seattle went into a woman’s locker room and changed, claiming it was his right.
“Bathrooms, showers, locker rooms are vulnerable places for women and children,” said Angela Connelly of the Washington Women’s Network. “This is not against transgender people, but against those who will manipulate, distort and abuse the rule.”
Bathrooms are also not a place to hangout and relax. People go to the restroom to get business done and get out. If you are uncomfortable using a restroom because you feel you don’t identify with the bathroom you’re expected to do your business in, then find a family bathroom, go before you leave the house or just go to the bathroom you’ve always gone in without complaining.
Not everyone has access to clean bathrooms. Our country is blessed with the opportunity to use the facilities in almost every place we go within the country.
Of course I want everyone to feel comfortable during the brief moments they do use the restroom. However, if bathroom usage is really a national issue, then public restrooms can all become single-stall family restrooms.
Sure, making all bathrooms single-stall present the challenge of serious lines and the use of taxpayer dollars, but single-stall bathrooms eliminate the possibility of offending or making anyone uncomfortable. Isn’t that what everyone wants?
Before legislators address bathrooms, they need to take a look at the issues with national security and a failing economy. Bathrooms are an amenity that don’t need legislation.
Charlie Bonacquisti is a 20-year-old mass communication sophomore from Dallas, Texas.