This past Thursday, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed into law SB200. This bill adds transgendered people to the list included in the state’s non-discrimination law. In the weeks preceding the passing of this bill, and the few days since Governor Ritter has signed it, the right wing websites and blogs have have been ablaze. I’m not going to quote them here, if you’re interested in reading what they have to say, a Google search for Focus on the Family, Colorado Family Action, Family Research Council, WorldNetDaily and Americans for Truth (About Homosexuality) will keep you busy for quite a while. Their missives about this bill are laden with incorrect use of male pronouns for post op male to female transsexuals and excessive use of quotes around "names" and "gender identities". They seem to be particularly focused on M2F transsexuals and cross-dressers terrorizing women and girls in public restrooms.
I’m finding what is left out of these diatribes to be fascinating as well. In all of the articles I’ve read, they never, ever mention the issue of FTM transsexuals in the men’s room. Perhaps they’re saving F2Ms for a different issue in the future. I’m guessing it might have to do with fear of stealth invasion of sacred male space such as football games or hardware and auto parts stores. These gender transgressions could destroy the moral fabric of society as we know it. I’ve also noticed that these articles never bother to consider or address the safety concerns of M2F, F2M, cross-dressers, genderqueers or androgynes using the men’s room.
They’re really using transgender people as a big scare tactic to raise money, and they obviously don’t care if a few of us get queerbashed in the process.
As I sip my coffee, I’m feeling my dormant 80s ACT-UP, Queer Nation, Lesbian Avenger, Transexual Menace, theatrical activist side waking up. I’m envisioning an action, perhaps a "Million Men in Dresses March... on Public Restrooms". Not women’s rooms though. Instead, all of us "men in dresses" would go to the men’s room. Hey, we have to go somewhere! We’ll pick a day, a week, or perhaps even all of LGBTQ pride month, and during that time, we "men in dresses" use the men’s rooms. Each and every day. All across the USA.
If you haven’t finished electrolysis or laser, consider not shaving for a few days. I suggest wearing high heels, makeup, jewelry, and don’t forget, plenty of slinky, non age appropriate, over the top, bright pink clothing too. If you don’t pass as your birth sex anymore, you might want to bring along a copy of your original, unaltered birth certificate, just in case someone questions why you’re in there. I don’t suggest going alone though, much better if we go in groups for safety concerns. I also wish to be inclusive, so perhaps my FTM friends would consider using the women’s room during that time, in solidarity with us. And our LGB and straight allies don’t need to feel left out, you are all welcome to participate too.
This is only the beginning. After the bathroom invasion, I’m thinking of applying for a job... in a Christian bookstore or school. I have already picked out my outfit for the job interview.
Zythyra