In December 2015 the Washington State Human Rights Commission (http://www.hum.wa.gov/), a group of five (5) unelected bureaucrats appointed by Gov. Inslee, decided that “gender equality” required their interpretation and intervention. This commission decided that if a male or female “self identified” as one of 58+ “gender expressions” they could use the bathroom, locker room, showers or other facilities of whichever sex they chose. Literally they could walk in and if questioned say they “identified” as that gender. It’s worth noting that “activists” believe that sex and gender mean different things and that, in the end, gender is more important than biology.
I understand the desire to make sure we are all treated as equals. I understand that a tiny percent (less than 2%) of the US population “identifies” as LGBTQ. How many children (under age 18) “self identify” in this way? A bit of research shows…that there are no studies and there is no data. There are some estimates and those suggest that 0.3% to 0.6% fall into this self-imposed category. Those same articles claim that most of those are in their teenage years. It’s well established that if those questioning their sexuality are given support and information most grow out of their concerns by adulthood.
Since our blog focuses on K-12 education we wondered what potential risks (if any) may result from the ability of a male or female to use the “facilities” of the other sex. This is a subjective question and easily influenced by the views of the writer/researcher. To be completely clear, I am conservative and would be considered traditional by many people. My upbringing by a single mother and my training and education made it clear I should protect the innocent and that includes women and children.
Today, in our schools, each sex is fully within their rights to use whichever facilities they choose. School boards have NOT taken a stand against this and appear totally willing to look the other way under the guise of “fairness” and “gender equality”. There are School board policies cited to diffuse or block complaints.
Children are naturally shy and uncomfortable about their physical, hormonal and psychological changes as their bodies mature. There can be “confusion” and “awkwardness” that kids naturally go thru at puberty. Why are we forcing children into situations they are ill prepared to deal with? What about the “rights” and “feelings” and mental and emotional health of “the majority”?
In an effort by the 1% to assure their freedoms and choices are met they end up putting everyone else at risk for physical as well as mental intimidation and assault. Is there data on the “age” risk of sexual assault? This report (https://www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence) says yes and that children are at the highest risk. Why should ANY child be subject to this type of potential assault? Are the views and feelings of the <1% more valid or important than the 99%+? Children are at risk of physical and psychological damage and must be protected!
What’s the impact on children if they feel unsafe or fear being assaulted? It’s lifelong. Going into a bathroom or locker room or shower and expecting to be safe and protected only to have someone of the opposite sex enter unexpectedly can be traumatic and mentally damaging. Is it really acceptable to anyone that the 99%+ of children should be subject to this assault to satisfy the views of the 1%?
In an article published in The Reflector (http://www.thereflector.com/opinion/article_20b20db2-3509-11e7-a740-5fa07b401e2e.html) a local mother shares her thoughts and offers a couple of examples:
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Here’s the reaction of an 8-year-old after her grandma told her they wouldn’t have time to wait for the private family room before her swim class at the YMCA: “She reached up and physically grabbed me, as a look of horror washed over her face. This fearless girl who is never afraid of anything began to cry and begged me not to take her in there.” Later, talking with the girl’s mother about the reaction, she was told a man had come into the locker room on a previous visit. Since five unelected officials reinterpreted a state law to allow bathrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms, shelters, and prisons to be used on the basis of gender identity, this is the new reality for women and children.
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The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs report of 2015 shows 3,720 females were the victims of forced sexual assaults. The number of crimes with a bias against transgenders was eight. Yes, that’s right, eight — none of which appeared to take place in a bathroom.
There is an effort underway to let the voters decide whether to allow this unfettered use of the opposite sex’s facilities while protecting children. A group called Just Want Privacy filed the Initiative I-1552 to repeal the state’s open mandate and restore privacy and common sense in WA. In order to get I-1552 onto the November ballot, the group needs to collect 330,000 signatures of registered WA voters by July 1st. Why should you add your signature to their petition? (information available at https://justwantprivacy.org)
1) Because, in a free republic, people should have a say in the laws that govern them. A group of unelected appointees should NOT have that authority.
2) Because you are concerned about children and want to keep them as safe as possible.
3) You want to send a clear message to elected representatives that your values are important and you want sanity returned.
You may want to learn more about the views women have on this topic by visiting: http://womanmeanssomething.com/
For me the issue is simple. You go where your plumbing takes you. If you want to dress as the opposite sex…ok. If you “feel” like the opposite sex…ok. BUT…the 99%+ have rights too and to impose the views and values of the less than 1% on the 99% is certainly not democracy nor fairness. Please consider adding your signature to the petition and let the people make the choice.
An easier solution, would be to offer a separate, private individual bathrooms. A separate, private, individual shower for the gym class. Of course…that would be too simple and the issue would fade away and those who want to use this topic and our children and women as cannon fodder don’t want a simple solution.
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