Bathroom politics
I write to express my dismay at the inherent cruelty of HB1442: Limiting the use of certain facilities on the basis of sex and redefining the term “gender identity.”
The hyper-focus on gender issues is cruel, unwarranted and a waste of time.
Some claim that trans women entering “female” spaces is endangering women. As a woman, I have never been accosted by a trans woman. When I use a public restroom, I am there for one purpose. I go in, take care of business, wash my hands and get out. Based on my own observations and scientific research, this is true for most women. We are happy to share that space with others, regardless of their sexuality, gender or orientation.
It is well-documented that a trans woman is much more likely to be the victim of assault than to be the perpetrator. By forcing trans women to use the men’s room, our legislature would be putting those women at risk. All women would be at risk of being questioned and detained if they do not match someone’s perception of what a woman should look like.
Attacking the most vulnerable in a society is an age-old strategy. Most trans people simply want to live their lives without notoriety or conflict. When the Republican party apparatus, on the advice of The Heritage Foundation, decided to focus on them, the private lives of trans people became targets of ill-informed and malicious smear campaigns. This has to stop.
Bathroom politics is at best a waste of legislative time and at worst a danger to our non-binary sisters and brothers. It’s time to clean house and support those currently in government and those willing to run for office who will use their time to make life better for all people in New Hampshire.