"Gender Panic" Said to be Cause of Bathroom Controversies

[Carolyn Marie]

Interesting theory.

http://www.healthcanal.com/mental-health-behavior/44510-transgender-controversies-can-lead-to-%E2%80%98gender-panic,%E2%80%99-study-finds.html

Carolyn Marie

[Guest LoveBeingMe]

Interesting article. " the potential dangers of encountering a transgender person in a woman’s bathroom" I wonder why they have not done a study on the potential dangers transwomen may encounter in a men's bathroom?

[Cyndee]

Gender panic = Nervous Nellies

No one really cares about Men's bathrooms really, it's like go ahead, as far as being a transwoman a lot of folks think you should be made to go in the men's pre-op as some sort of warped punishment when it comes to policy, we the MTF are such a tiny minority (yawn, who cares ?), maybe they don't get it, or they do and are simply laughing about it. The ratio of problems with transman issues in men's restrooms are probably miniscule by comparison.

[Guest KimberlyF]

I'm going to disagree with this a bit based on what I've seen and read.

Instead of two groups like this supposes, I think there are four groups people fall into. There are prob many more, but 2 doesn't cover people's responses and 4 covers much more of what has happened.

I think in bathrooms and facilities there are people who will 1) never accept, people who 2) accept those post-op, people who will 3)accept someone on a path to surgery or in a documented treatment plan, and people who will 4)accept anyone who makes the claim of being different than their birth gender.

"But acceptance hits a wall when it comes to places reserved for women."

There are cases of non-op FtMs demanding the right to shower with men who have been tossed from facilities on a few occasions exactly like Mtfs. How does this theory explain that?

My ideas...FtMs have an easier time blending, and men get in and out without socializing as much, so many that grow a bit of facial hair and go to the bathroom are not going to be questioned even by people who may be in positions 1-3. But when one is demanding they should be able to shower in the open and they have not had surgery, even the most unobservent man might catch on.

The study claims that this 'gender panic' is a female thing. I wonder if there was ever a poll done that asked what percentage of TGs people thought were FtMs?

My guess is there would be a few more issues with FtMs if people knew they were there. Brandon Teena wasn't a suicide. He was seen as a threat.

[Guest Jamie_cd]

I can understand the point women are making saying that they're not comfortable with a trans woman in the bathroom. However, if a trans woman can pass and isn't standing to use the toilet then I have hard time understanding where the concern is. If someone fits in and belongs then who's going to question what genitals that person has.

I'd be worried if a man dressed as a woman came into the lady's room. Someone who obviously doesn't belong there should raise some suspicion. I can't see a rapist or pervert passing as a woman since that's not their goal.

Personally I feel that if you can pass as a woman, then use the womens bathroom. A trans woman in the men's room can't be safe. Men seem to be more aggressive and could possibly hurt a transwoman for using "the wrong bathroom". This is a bit of rhetorical question but does society feel there should men's, womens, and "other" restrooms? Would that make people feel safer?