The Bathroom issue: Transgender rights to use the bathroom they feel most comfortable

using and why this debate is in the news right now

By Lola Bennett

For most choosing which bathroom we use is easy, we only open the door, which

represents our gender, and think nothing of it. The transgender community, however, faces some

challenges. In some states, they are being forced to use the bathroom that equates with their

biology, and in others, they may use unisex of private restrooms. Is it discrimination when they

are obliged to use a bathroom that does not represent who they feel they are? Are people using

scaremonger tactics to implement law forbidding them access? This paper will take a look at

whats been said, on both sides, to gain an understanding of the full argument.

So many things have changed and become lawfully acceptable even in my lifetime, gay

marriage became legal in 2015 and in 2016 the Obama administration sent out a statement to all

educational institutions in the USA allowing transgender people to use any bathroom they felt

comfortable in. Now in February 2017, a few weeks into Trumps presidency this has been

reversed. Along with the reversal was the threat to remove school funding for any educational

institution that did not go along with the new legislation. We live in an age of intense social

media, and this has started a debate between both sides. It is only by looking at all aspects can

we answer questions such as is this an issue of civil rights? Shouldnt everyone have the right to

identify with the gender they associate with? Or will the conservative right with their emphasis

on traditional values and the heterosexual family, sway public opinion in their favor?
 As it stands, the LGBT community is fighting for transgender people to use the bathroom

that matches the identity they feel. By not letting them do so the following problems arise.

Firstly, by drawing attention to their difference,' they believe that additional attention is placed

on them which for many is difficult to handle. Students in high schools have reported not going

to the bathroom and drinking less in the day to avoid having to use public bathrooms. This has

led to health issues (urinary tract disorders) not to mention anxiety. In additions feeling

supported and valued at any school is important for our mental well-being . The following

statistics show that we still have a long way to go to make this reality:

75.1% of transgender students feel unsafe at school because of their gender expression

63.4% of transgender students reported avoiding bathrooms

41% of transgender or gender nonconforming people have attempted suicide

Opinions of those who are against transgender people using the bathroom they want are

often based on unrealistic fears. Parents worry that a transgender person with male genitalia will

molest their child. Here there is an apparent confusion with pedophiles and transgender people.

To this day though there has not been a single reported attack by a transgender person on anyone

in a bathroom. In short, they want to use the bathroom!! Other comments stem from women

needing their space just as men do although personally, I spend as little time as possible in public

restrooms, so this argument seems weak and unjustice.

 America is clearly still divided on the subject with 51% for transgender people using the

bathroom of their choice. This shows that its only a slight majority in favor and that many

people are still against this fundamental freedom. That said the tides are starting to change, as

two years ago there were more people against the idea than for it.

I think my interest comes from my anger that all people are not treated equally. I live in

an age where women still get paid less than men; racism and sexism are still around, and

minority rights are just as important as everyone elses. All lives matter and it saddens me that

not everyone is treated as so. What I hope to gain personally is an understanding as to why

transgender people face this struggle and, more importantly, what steps we can all take to ensure

that the fundamental right of going to the bathroom is just that and not a political issue. If we can

agree that all knowledge is useful in one way of another then any insight and depth I gain from

studying this topic in full will only broaden my horizons and give me a deeper insight into the

lives other people live.

In my life, I have become friends with transgender people but to me that are just my

friends; I do not look at them any differently or treat them any differently. I have listened to their

stories, heard their struggles and I feel privileged to have them in my life. The reason they are in

my life is that they are real people. We are all many things as well as our sexual identity. If we

only see people through labels, then we are limiting what we see and creating a society of us

and them.'This topic is in the headlines currently, so there is a lot of information available.

States are struggling with Trumps policies, students are suing, and people are talking. I hope
that this talking brings about positive change in a community that just wants to be accepted for

who they are like everybody else.