Fear transgenders in public restrooms?

By Misty Jones
The TC News Reporter

In a time where most people are always complaining or are offended by something, it is no surprise there is an uproar over transgender people using public restrooms.

Since everyone is entitled to their opinion, here is mine. Having been a patron in a number of public restrooms in my lifetime, I can honestly say, this has never been an issue for me.

Have I been creeped out by the person in the stall next to me? Certainly. Have I pulled my children closer to me for fear of a stranger I encountered in the bathroom? Definitely. However, not a single time have I been afraid or uncomfortable because a transgender person was in the restroom with me.

The argument being made here is that somehow women and children are not safe with a transgender person in the restroom. To that I say, ignorance must truly be bliss if you live in a world where transgendered people are the only people you have to worry about harming your loved ones.

Wake up people! There are only 700,000 transgender people in the United States. They make up a tiny, 0.3 percent of the population. In fact, the transgender people are in more danger entering their preferred restroom than you are when you enter yours.

According to an article on Time Magazine’s website, published August 17, 2015, by Katy Steinmetz, murders of transgender people are at an all-time high of 15 victims in 2015 alone.

It has never been illegal for a transgender person to use whichever public restroom they choose. You may have already been in the restroom with one, made polite conversation while you washed your hands, and you didn’t even know it. So, why the sudden uproar?

We have more important battles to fight, such as child abuse, world hunger, domestic violence, global warming and sex trafficking. I say, get over it!