The following comes from a Jan. 14 story on TakePart.com
Starting this week, businesses in West Hollywood, California, have 60 days to get rid of the men’s and women’s signs on the doors of single-occupancy bathrooms and make those places gender-neutral.
Bathroom rules are changing thanks to a law passed last year by the city council of West Hollywood, an independent municipality in the city of Los Angeles that has a population of about 34,000 and is a hub for gay life.
Why is it a big deal to have gender-neutral—meaning neither male nor female—bathrooms? Many transgender people say that they frequently experience difficulty or downright harassment when they try to use public restrooms. A study of trans people in Washington, D.C., found that nearly 70 percent had been verbally harassed when using a public bathroom. Of the people surveyed, 18 percent had been denied restroom access, and almost 10 percent were victims of physical violence—meaning they were forcibly removed, hit, kicked, or cornered—in public bathrooms.
Transgender people have also been reported to the police for using the bathrooms that correspond to their gender identities. In Houston, Tyjanae Moore was arrested for using the women’s restroom in a library, even though the city’s nondiscrimination policy specified that trans people can use the bathrooms that match their gender identities. An Idaho transgender woman named Ally Robledo was charged with trespassing after using the women’s room in a grocery store. Robledo pointed out that because she identifies and lives as a woman, she doesn’t feel safe using the men’s bathroom.
“When I did use the male’s [restroom], there would be people that would harass me in school. I would feel really embarrassed, and there were times when I found myself in a lot of dangerous situations…. I’m a female trapped in a man’s body; it’s natural for me to go to the ladies’ room,” Robledo said.
While the law won’t affect restrooms that have more than one stall, it will give transgender people more options and ensure that trans people don’t get hassled for going into single-stall bathrooms.
Some members of the transgender community in West Hollywood have praised the new rules. “Thank you for discussing gender-neutral restrooms here in the city of West Hollywood and for giving that protection to transgender people,” West Hollywood Transgender Advisory Board member Drian Juarez said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I believe that the city of West Hollywood truly is a jewel within the LGBT community….”
WHAT A WORLD!!!
Take care of your families, the perverts will be out in droves.
One rest room rather than 2 means longer lines – and waiting.
People should use the rest room which their specific physical biology dictates, and all issues will disappear.
Mentally ill people should not drive public policy.
This is what happens when you VOTE for wacko DEMOCRATS for local offices.
Get rid of the DEMOCRATS – most have no common sense but want to be politically correct.
This is not a big deal by any stretch of the imagination. Travel the rest of the world and you will find that most single stall bathrooms are for both genders. Most of the local Starbuck’s have single stalls for use by both genders. This is not even a new item, unless you are looking for a “gay” something to talk about, wouldn’t you agree?
Predictable response
As was yours, Canisius. So can you tell us the logic or morality behind defining a single stand alone bathroom as “Men” or “Women”?
Yes I stand by it YFC, because I believe in the norms that you and the rest of homo-sex/pervert left have destroyed. Yes here is some morality and logic for you. I do not want my step-daughter being imposed upon by some low life and this unisex nonsense that you rest of filth promote leaves the door wide open to it.
Still waiting YFC…or do you believe women should be harassed by bathroom perverts.
bob, it might just be a coincidence that starbucks is a major pro-LGBT outfit, generously supporting the cause. they could afford to build a second bathroom, easily, to meet normative american cultural expectations. as you know, they are extremely multicultural in all other ways. just wish they would make room for american culture
Not when I was in Italy!
West Hollywood – they live in a parallel universe. Normal people don’t live there or even visit it.
That is a completely rude statement, Sarah.
No YFC, it is a completely true statement. West Hollywood is a stew of perverts and wierdos. Perhaps a tall barbed-wire fence should be erected around the place, then any sign that pleases the inmates could be placed on the latrines.
Sometimes the trruth hurts although I wouldn’t use the word ‘abnormal’ rather people with a disordered inclination or with gender identity confusion. The Catechism calls it gravely depraved so this definitely is not a healthy, to the body as well as the soul, inclination. But there is an alternative…turn your life over to God and He will work wonders!
Here’s how I see it. If a man leaves his garbage smell and a woman walks in after him that wouldn’t sit well with me. If a man walks in under the same conditions who cares, there is a difference. This is for all of those who want to play nicey nicey.
Hooray for Hollyweird.
The residents of West Hollywood are proud of the fact that ‘normal’ people don’t live there… or haven’t in a long time. The weirdness is fading, though, as it gentrifies and becomes more of a tourist destination. It’s been rebranded WeHo, and is fast being consumed by the Real Estate Industrial Complex.
Part of this might be enshrining some sense of the avant-garde and gay mecca that’s waned in recent years…
https://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar/06/local/la-me-weho-gay-identity-20140307
Hugh thanks for the link to the article. “…….West Hollywood is facing an identity crisis as its population and commercial scene—and society as a whole—evolve.” I see the writer of this LA Times article leaves out the fact that the FSSP is now offering the traditional Latin Mass at St. Victors!
“While the law won’t affect restrooms that have more than one stall…”
i.e. The only change is signage. This only applies to bathroom occupied by a single individual and inanimate objects. The degree of correlation between genitalia and gender identity was already irrelevant.
Also, it’s West Hollywood. If you are the type of person who would be offended by signage welcoming nonconforming gender identities, you are not going to like it there anyway.
Or offended by people just being people and doing the things that all people need to do a couple times a day, regardless of their gender.
I remember many, many years ago, when young, being shocked when travelling to Mexico City, as they often had “unisex” bathrooms, and both men and women used them at the same time! Of course, these bathrooms were large, with many separate, enclosed stalls. But I was not comfortable! I remember asking as to why they did this, but never got a logical answer! This was in the days before the filthy 1960’s “hippies,” and women and girls always wore nice dresses, daily– not crummy jeans, or pants! Also, it was in the pre-Vatican II days, and all the churches had a strict dress code, to include a mantilla, hat, scarf, or other head covering, for women and girls! Especially, as in this era, we ladies and girls were always dressed up daily, in nice skirts or dresses, with heels– it was NOT NICE, to have a “unisex” bathroom!
Thank you Linda Maria for your post, proving the point that genderizing bathrooms is a cultural norm, not a moral one, and not a safety one.
“Your Fellow Catholic,” I don’t think your response shows much sensitivity to people! Political issues do not belong here! Rather, it is a matter of feeling safe and comfortable, which is a delicate, sensitive issue– especially for most women and girls! A public bathroom is also not like one you have at home.
If as you say, YFC, that “… genderizing bathrooms is a cultural norm, not a moral one, and not a safety one,” then how is it that those advocating for people calling themselves transgender to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender do so for fear of being harassed or perhaps harmed in the the bathroom that coincides with their actual sex?
Or are you negating the witness of the person in the article who stated, ” …and there were times when I found myself in a lot of dangerous situations.”
So safety isn’t a concern? Really, YFC?
I loved the “pre-1960’s” era, when our cultures were all family-centered, with the distinct roles of men and women! Since when was the woman “lacking respect or power,” as the “feminist misfits” say? Silly! “Mama” was the very heart of the family! And my “Italian” mom was very strong and very nurturing, also! The roles of man and woman were a great treasure, the very heart of a culture, the very heart of a family, and of your own identity! The glory of Manhood, or of Womanhood, was a tremendous treasure! Each role had their own distinct characteristics, and each was unique,and equal, in the eyes of God! (Perhaps the Mother, however, was the highest of all, and closest to God!) The Role Model for Catholic men, was Christ, while the Role Model for Catholic women, was His Blessed Mother– a very high calling! From childhood, men and women knew well, their identity and future life roles! People married young, had families, and were happy, with a very NORMAL, stable, family-centered society! There was respect for God, and all the churches, (especially the Catholic Church)— were NORMAL– and very dependable!
I will add to my post, above. I think that our society needs to firmly establish, once again, the distinct male/female roles, just as God created them, in all their distinct beauty and glory! People will be so much happier, enjoying the true fulfillment, of aspiring to their own true manhood, or womanhood! And to live out their lives, in their natural, God-given identity and roles, from childhood! As for the few people with the “LGBT” problems? Keep your problems between you and your family, and maybe your doctor, or counselor! Your problems do not belong at all, in the political arena! Silly! But everyone should respect, and be kind, to people who have the “LGBT” problems! All the churches should preach and live, according to the Love of Christ— which includes kindness and respect to all!
Linda Maria..I disagree with you. I don’t think there is a genetic basis for being born gay so therefore it is not God-given in my view. And if it were how to account for those who claim to be ‘former’ gays.
This is in reply to Ronnie’s post. I never said there is a so-called “genetic basis” for being “born gay!” No one knows the cause of homosexuality. I think it is some kind of illness, or deformity of Nature, sadly! God allows illness, and suffering, for people to grow spiritually. What I clearly said in my post, is that God made men and women distinctly, as two different genders– and one’s manhood or womanhood, is naturally an important part of your identity! No such thing, as “unisex!” Many crazy, liberal political activists state that manhood, and womanhood, are nothing but cultural stereotypes. But obviously, God created man and woman as two different genders, with very distinctly different qualities! People would all be so much happier, getting rid of these modern, immoral political agendas, and simply finding a truly fulfilling life, growing naturally to full manhood, or full womanhood— just as God meant for them to be! Just like “Adam and Eve,” in the Bible!
As I get older and access to public bathrooms gets more and more difficult, I say to myself: “Any port in a storm.” As a woman, I am frequently stuck in very long bathroom lines and most recently, I had trouble gaining access to a sink to wash my hands after using the bathroom due to a woman adjusting her wig and applying her make up because the mirror was located in front of the sink. Perhaps there should be a bathroom allocated for people who simply want to use the toilet and get out?
i just ran a quick google search on unisex bathrooms and found that they are not so univer and old hat in europe. only in march 2013 did berlin begin to officially allow unisex bathrooms, and in italy, it’s still quite under discussion, starting from 2006. in some countries, the prohibitive cost of plumbing bathrooms has forced them to be unisex only out of poverty. just a few years back i was frequently in europe and did not find unisex bathrooms in old or new businesses
The problem, “Bob One” and “Your Fellow Catholic” is that you see no problem. There are several:
1. The “policy” of seeking to eliminate any — any — distinctions based on gender. Of course, this is always favored by HomoFascists and others of the Zombie-Liberal persuasion.
2. Forcing people to get accustomed to women being a parallel sex, rather than distinct from men. By eliminating natural differences and distinctions, bigger arguments — such as women being priests — reduce the power of those that wish to maintain distinctions.
3. After restrooms come other “gender distinctions” which distort the natural differences, and sexual attractions, of each sex. Of course, homosexuals are mute to these distinctions, and want none of them, so that they can argue that all are the same and that homosexual sex is the same as any other kind of sex.
None of these changes are made for any logical reason, but to advance another agenda.
How many people have separate bathrooms at home for men and women? The sign on the wall is weird, but not bathrooms open to both men and women. If only one person is in the bathroom, what difference does it make what sex they are?
“Bob One”, you are always, always the apologist for the Zombie-Left. The issue is the maintenance of separateness of man and woman in everyday life. Your beloved radical lefties want nothing more than to eliminate any and all separate markers between the sexes. Restroom separateness is only one, but an important one considering its constant reminder. Soon, there will be more and more “differences” that are dropped — every notice how that happens” “well, if you can’t have separate bathrooms, then we can’t have XXX differences either”.
The answer is obvious, “Bob One”. And women and men know that there are differences for good and valid reasons. How soon before we have one set of locker rooms in public high schools, including showers? And before women and men sleeping quarters in firehouses (where women should never be “fire-people” anyway), and the military, and the like. Makes having male-only anything look pretty anachronistic.
Bob One…At home most are related or are acquainted but there are many predators just looking for an opportunity to abuse children.
…if a bathroom is a single stall,what’s the point of putting “transgender” on it or “inclusive”? Placing male/female gives every indication that it can be used by whomever. The inclusion of “transgender” and “inclusive” seems more to be an added expense to prove one’s political stance. Like having to put up a completely unnecessary advertisement that is actually just an advertisement of stupid political correctness that costs the taxpayer unnecessary dollars in redundant signage.
Word for the wise, go to the restroom at home if at all possible and limit liquids when out on the town. Saves a lot of hassle.
Ann, that seems to be exactly what the bill is saying, get rid of redundant signage. It’s no longer a men’s room or women’s room, it’s simply a bathroom. My home doesn’t have a men’s room or woman’s room, it has a bathroom.
…then perhaps UC Irvine can take down the ridiculous signage that oozes pandering.
Sir Peter your home is not a public place, I would hope not, right? Plus people who visit your home are usually not strangers to one another or at least you know them right? In your home, you do not allow strangers to use your bathroom, or leave your children unattended with strangers right?
Comparing your home to public places is irrelevant and poor example.
I do not get it why would any decent person would go for this? What do they gain with making things neutral? What do they want access to? Since they are making this an issue, it makes me suspicious of their motives. There was a movie that showed woman and men sharing bathrooms. It was disgusting. The woman was in one stall, while the man combing his hair. I don’t recall the specifics because I didn’t continue to watch the movie, but I thought, wow, this society is heading that way. Who would want to share bathrooms with the opposite sex? NOT ME, especially not when there are many toilets in one room and different people coming in and out. Yuck!
It looks like in this instance its about special treatment to certain individuals who actually are in great need of mental therapy instead!
….perhaps the bathrooms could also say “kid friendly” “non-age discriminatory” “soap allergy friendly”. Good grief.
Or maybe the easiest way to resolve this is to just post a sign saying: Anyone having a problem with this can use the back alley. TP is located near the dumpster.
…wasting money on absurd and unnecessary signage is a problem for everyone, peter. Or maybe you toss valuable dollars into the back alley to be used as toilet paper.
That’s a good place for those who have no clue whether they are men or women.
I recently attended the ‘Sparky the Drag Queen’ (T. Sparks – executive director of the ‘in-human-rights’ commission ‘ in Frisco) at Saint Mary’s College – during which He Harped on Fundamentally Transforming the Language of Gender – so as to eliminate it, unless it serves some purpose in trashing the hated hetero pig patriarchy.
With closed eyes Sparky sounds exactly like the Man he is – but His Drag and affectations are designed to be confusing – on purpose, so that Students (and staff who want to keep their jobs) must jump through a constantly changing set of flaming hoops.
What is presented as a ‘continuum’ of Gender is actually an assortment of mental illness & fetishes – which they like to take public so as to degrade others in to pandering – sort of like the Homo-Nazi ‘SA’ Storm Troopers publicly giving the stiff arm ‘heil’ salute and targeting those who failed to respond in solidarity.
Sparky dodged questions about the Larry Brinkin Racist Toddler Rape Ring (apparently larry only developed such hobbies AFTER Retiring – meaning the City has no liability and pays his pension) – he also ducked the issue of all Procreation being Heterosexual (XX & XY) – with support of the Turkey Baster Creationist Systerhood at this ‘Catholic’ college.
One Important point often omitted is use of toilets to act out Hate / Disgust for the instrument of Male Oppression – the P-Ns.
Steroid Dykes with fabricated urinary drains like to use the standup stalls – to show off their Self Mutilation as an act of Hate
Although Not Catholic – Author Bryan Fisher has written an excellent expose on some aspects of the scam – well worth the review:
“Why we oppose the normalization of transgenderism
https://www.renewamerica.com/columns/fischer/141122
By Bryan Fischer
The Scriptures tell us that one of the consequences for a nation that turns its back on God is “confusion of mind” (Deuteronomy 28:28). Nowhere is this more evident than in the tragic case of transgenderism….
We do not oppose transgenderism because we hate people. We oppose it because we love them.
We do not want to see anyone’s life ravaged by the pathologies that accompany this disorder of the mind and soul.
Until 2012, the American Psychiatric Association classified transgenderism as a “gender identity disorder.” It has since relabeled it “gender dysphoria” in an effort to soften the stigma that properly should attach itself to this problematic lifestyle choice…
Most Americans are blithely and blindly unaware of the mental, psychological and emotional devastation transgenderism wreaks on those who get trapped into this lifestyle. But the results are tragic.
Transgender regret is now a sad and sorrowful reality in our cultural landscape… the heartbreaking reality that a staggering 41 percent of transgendered American have attempted suicide. This is a rate more than 25 times higher than the population at large.
Social research has revealed that 65% of all those who undergo cosmetic surgery live to regret it. How much higher must that figure be for those who have undergone genital mutilation?