Kathryn (Simmons) Cook
My husband and I sat back in silence for a moment. The title read, “New Bathroom Rule: It’s Worse Than We Thought”. Washington State’s Human Rights commission enforced a law that makes it legal for people to enter into any public restroom or locker room that coincides with their stated gender identity – a gender identity that could plausibly change daily. Okay, so not everything on Facebook is true. This is probably one of those deceptive, eye catching articles someone made up to get a reaction. By looking over the article and web page once more, it seemed legit. This resorted to quickly doing more research on the subject. We found that this transgender bathroom law was a completely authentic issue for Washington State.
Personal flashbacks of my high school days in Washington fluttered into my mind. The bathroom was the prime place for mischievous conduct. There were drug exchanges, the use of drugs, changing of clothes, graffiti, bullying, promiscuity, self-harm, etc. After reading this new transgender bathroom law and all that it entitled, it was concerning not just for myself, but for my future children, my nieces, my nephews, my neighbors, anyone using a public restroom.
But it’s the Law
Additionally, if someone has a problem or is uncomfortable with this law, they are the ones that can choose to leave the restroom, but not the transgender person. Washington, are you telling me that if my girl is at school using the restroom and a man walks in that if she has a problem with that then she would be responsible for leaving? Not the man? Yes, that’s correct. Does anyone else see a problem with that?
Serving What the Minority Wants
These policies overly favor transgender people. What about all the other people? It’s pretty safe to say that transgender people are in the minority, but let’s look at the facts. According to surveys conducted from 2007 to 2009 the percentage of adults ages 18-64 that classified themselves as transgender was 0.3%. Comparatively the current national population is over 322,000,000. Hundreds of millions of people could become more vulnerable to the trend in repercussions of this law.
Opening the Door to Sexual Assaults
The trend for these bathroom laws are in motion. Washington State isn’t the only area creating and enforcing laws such as these. Transgender bathroom laws are extending outside of the United States and into surrounding countries like Canada. Though these laws are still new, there has been dreadful evidence shown that these laws could result in more sexual assaults. In Ontario there was a specific case where a women’s shelter could not deny entry to a man. Christopher Hambrook, took advantage of this law to enter. In consequence, he was allowed in their changing rooms, bathrooms and showers. He was a serial sex offender who outright assaulted at least two women in there that day. One victim was an innocent deaf woman taking a shower. Additional descriptions of his court case were revolting as he took advantage of these innocent women. There’s no doubt that these laws make people like you and me extremely more vulnerable to sexual predators.
Closing the Door to Open Communication
This law exposes defenseless children to sexual predators and it closes the door to open communication between parents and children. The law accepts that as long as the student at school informs their teacher of their gender identity then it would be permissible for a biological male to enter into the women’s bathroom and vice versa. This law also asserts that the child can reveal their gender identity and that the teacher has no right to inform or ask the child’s parent regarding their statement. This is concerning because students are required to inform their teachers of their stated gender identity, but not their parents. Unlike academic or disciplinary actions, this means open communication on this touchy subject is not mandatory between the school, parents and their children. Ideally, teachers should be proactive in establishing open communication between parents and children and what happens at school. Ezra Levant, television show host from Canada says, “…this document bullies parents and makes every single girl in the providence of Alberta a guinea pig… for letting men into women’s bathrooms.”
Out with the Law
Many people fortunately do realize the plausible harmful consequences of this law and have sent bills to repeal the policy. For example, according to King 5 News, Senate Bill 6443 which would require repeal was narrowly defeated early February 2016. Though now defeated there is still hope if the people of Washington will act! Washington State registered voters can create and sign an initiative or referendum, where a state wide vote can determine an abolishment to this law.
Parents, Speak Now
This law seemingly jeopardizes family relationships and creates vulnerability for more sexual assaults, more crime. Furthermore, children can’t do anything about it. That’s why we need you to be their voice; their protection. Understandably, there is acknowledgement that there must be protection for both transgender and not. There is genuine concern for transgender people to feel uncomfortable and in danger of being bullied, but this law would not have guaranteed protection for transgender and otherwise. Instead of protection, the effects can be devastating.
For those of you who aren’t Washington State residents don’t be surprised if this issue comes to your state. You need to be ready to defend your rights and your children’s rights to public privacy. Washington State registered voters don’t you know that you have the power? You have the freedom to start an initiative today and put an end to this law once and for all.