I've never understood why anyone would care if a transgender person was in the same bathroom at their local watering hole or department store. After all, if that person is in the ladies or men's rooms, that means they identify as either a woman or a man.

If you feel you can't sit in a bathroom stall or stand in front of a urinal to pee in fear you may be sitting or standing near someone who is transgender, then seriously, go home now because you may not be fit for humanity. It's not up to the transgender community to educate the hateful masses on gender identity, but damn if that's not what's happening because of North Carolina and their discriminatory law forbidding transgender people from using the bathroom that matches their gender identity.

Now, my biggest fear is that the likes of the Center for Arizona Policy, as well as the group's state Legislature lackeys like Sen. John Kavanagh, will try to do what they pulled three years ago, and introduce another version a bathroom law. The only time I use a men's bathroom is when we ladies take forever and my bladder pleads for help. I've never gotten a complaint, plus I'm quick and I never complain at the mess I see or the lack of a mirror. Listen, if we see CAP and friends introduce a law here again, you'll most likely see me in your friendly men's restroom. I promise to use good manners and wipe the seat if need be.

Seriously though, I'm tired of the hate, but you know who is more tired of this crap, our transgender friends and community. Maybe they know we love them and stand by them, but it doesn't hurt to let them know more often. I know gender identity is not a choice. I know you've worked hard to claim that identity. I hope you know there's a community of allies who are in your corner. Always.

— Mari Herreras, mherreras@tucsonweekly.com