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LEXIE CANNES STATE OF TRANS — No one will disagree that fallout from Bathroom Bills impacts all trans people one way or another, no matter where they live — even if it’s in a relatively safer part of the country, such as here in the Pacific Northwest. This was underlined today by a bit of disturbing news that was shared on social media by a well-known local trans/LGBTQ advocate.

The advocate posted on Facebook details of their disturbing encounter with people spying on the bathrooms at a Portland, Oregon, area Target store.

From their post:

“[After entering Target, they] immediately encountered two men who we quickly realized were watching the bathrooms. They had taken a picture of someone who had gone into a restroom and were speculating on that person’s gender; they were disparagingly talking about how “transgenders” are using the bathrooms now; they were going in and out of the men’s bathroom to check up on things; then one of their significant others came out of the family bathroom with their kid and they left. This put [us] in a place of danger to simply pee.”

They did talk to a manager who was very sympathetic and apologetic. The manager noted that some employees plan to quit their jobs because of Target’s bathroom policy. On the whole, they believed the manager truly cared but believe employees were not briefed enough for this “incredibly heated moment of spotlight on the company.”

For cis people, they suggest this: “All this is to say, if you’re not trans or gender non-conforming, please pay attention especially at places like Target. Please intervene if you witness this behavior. Please talk to your fellow cis (non-trans) peers often and candidly about bathrooms. . . . . Have these conversations so trans people don’t have to.

Earlier in the post, this point was made: “The national conversations about bathrooms and trans people are more than just political fodder and interesting headlines, this is an incredibly significant and dangerous moment that is impacting many trans people every day.”

This is the elephant in the room that is apparently too big for Republicans to see. While seeking to fix a non-existent problem, they also raised trans misery index significantly — thanks to them, emboldened people have taken it upon themselves to play Bathroom Cop — even 3,000 miles from ground zero.

Note: Contents of the Facebook post was used with permission.

Security guard arrested after forcing trans woman out of bathroom: https://lexiecannes.com/2016/05/19/security-guard-arrested-after-forcing-trans-woman-out-of-store-bathroom/

More on Bathroom Bills: https://lexiecannes.com/2016/05/17/obama-defends-sweeping-trans-equality-rules-were-talking-about-kids-they-are-vulnerable/

Watch LEXIE CANNES right now: http://www.amazon.com/Lexie-Cannes-CourtneyODonnell/dp/B00KEYH3LQ

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Categories: Discrimination, Equality, Civil Rights, Transphobia, exploitation, dehumanizing, violence, hate