Maine High Court: TS Students Can Use Gender-Appropriate Restroom

[Carolyn Marie]

This is an important decision, and I think will have ramifications beyond Maine. I also predict that the Right will go apoplectic.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/court-transgender-students-rights-violated-22299324

Carolyn Marie

[Guest LizMarie]

I think it was a great decision and completely reasonable. I also note the following statement from the article:

The Supreme Judicial Court pointed out that its ruling was based on the circumstances of the case in which there was ample documentation of the student's gender identity. "Our opinion must not be read to require schools to permit students casual access to any bathroom of their choice," he wrote.

Comments such as those are always pertinent to the interpretation of the precedent being set.

[Charlize]

You are right on with that comment Liz. That clearly is adequate to satisfy all but the wackiest of the people who think we just want to see women's ankles in the stalls.

Hugs,

Charlie

[VickySGV]

I have one moment of sadness from this, even though I think it is an appropriate and laudable decision. This decision and its dicta rely on a child having been given a medical diagnosis, and having the support of her parents and others in the community. The decision does nothing for young people or the TG population who do not have that understanding and support of either the medical or their families and communities. Hence there will be some who find grave fault with the decision. There is still much more to do to improve the understanding of who and what we are. We have been given a right there, albeit limited.

[Drea]

Given how vocal arguments have been insisting that it must be solely based upon the persons claim of self identity that any really considers this a good decision.

As it was handled based on the circumstances of the case in which there was ample documentation of the student's gender identity" thereby only setting a precedent that circumstances can warrant, but in doing so not creating a blanket right. And then with the next words "Our opinion must not be read to require schools to permit students casual access to any bathroom of their choice" it clearly affirms that a standard be applied.

I can endorse that completely as that was my objection with the policies that didn't set any limits.

[KathrynJulia]

Sounds to me to be a sensisble solution to a clear set of circumstances. Blanket decisions allowing anybody to use any restroom they want hurts us rather than helps us. I believe that when someone takes steps to begin transitioning by seeking therapy with a confirmed diagnosis of gender identity in the opposite gender, than that person should be allowed to use an appropriate restroom. I talked it over with my supervisor and she was fine with me using the ladies room much sooner than I was.

I've always felt that there should be a reasonableness of action. I had a diagnosis of gender identity disorder and was seeing a therapist for some time, I had come out to everyone, and I was dressing and living as a woman. and was taking cross gender hormones. Using a woman's restroom was a reasonable expectation at that point for me. I don't agree with the arguement that using a bathroom should only be based upon the persons claim of self identity.

There has to be more proof that the person's gender identity is also based upon other circumstances as well. The right has enough ammunition to throw at us without our community loading the gun for them. Kathryn

[Guest LizMarie]

My objection to setting limits is that in choosing limits the state then must become obligated to provide those examinations, papers, and other identification processes and artifacts necessary for those students who are financially otherwise unable to obtain them.

Do that, guarantee that there is equal taxpayer funded access to every trans person for these identification documents and I would withdraw most of my objections to said requirements.