Conservative

In my humblest of opinions, we live in a world with morals turned mildly askew. This idea is what drives the world to turn the way it does and make people do the things that they do. Now don’t get me wrong; I’m not trying to be the hardcore bible-thumping conservative you probably want writing this article for the ‘entertainment value’. My hope is that, by the end of this half of the article, you’ll understand a moderate-conservative’s opinion; my hope is that you’ll see the point many of us just want to be seen.

The United States Dept. of Justice has challenged North Carolina to resend a law disallowing people to use the restroom facility of the gender they choose to identify with. This would mean that transgendered people can enter the bathroom of their own personal identification. It is meant as a way to make these people more comfortable with who they are, and it is meant to help others be more inclusive of them as well. While these things could be fine and dandy, what this law has actually done is stir up one massive controversy.

Personally, I’m not a fan of this law. While it may make transgendered people more comfortable about who they feel that they are, it also enables despicable people to take advantage of the new system and fulfill their dark desires. Any man can enter the women’s restroom by claiming that they are a transgendered individual and then harass or perform sexually deviant acts against the women who may be in that restroom. The case still holds true for women going into the men’s room, as well. My case isn’t really against the ‘true’ transgendered people in this case but against the folks that would use the system to their whims.

You may say that, “Well, people shouldn’t be doing that in the first place. There is no place in the world for people who perform heinous acts such as these”. You’re right. People shouldn’t rape others. People shouldn’t sexually harass others. Guess what? People also shouldn’t kill others or steal from others. We condemn all these acts, but horrible people will still do them. The part that matters most is these people will perform these acts against the people who present themselves as an easy target. Presenting these kinds of people with a new place to practice these acts is asinine. It’s similar to asking the shady gentleman in the dark alleyway not to rob you of your large cash stash as you walk by. We can’t give these opportunities to these kinds of people. We can’t give these new standards at the cost of others’ comfort.

The world is a dark place. There’s no reason we have to enable the darkness to thrive. This law does just that; it gives a chance that deviants should never have so easily. That’s something I will never be comfortable with.

By: Michael Drake Hodges

Liberal

Yeah, we hear it all the time, “We’re worried about the kids.” But allow me to break down this faulty argument and shed light on the real issue. The real issue is not the fact that people are scared for their children’s sake, they’re simply not comfortable with the idea of sharing a bathroom with someone who happens to be a bit different. So they are using “family values” once again to not make it seem like they are just scared of change.

The funny thing about this entire fiasco is that Transgendered people have existed since the human race has existed (what it means to be transgendered and the way trans individuals express themselves has changed) and they’ve more than likely been using the bathrooms that match their gender identity and guess what? Nobody paid attention because everyone minds their business when doing their business. The issue has grown in controversy. People are now stating that this allows predators easier access to the opposite sexes’ bathroom making it easier to sexually assault men, women and children alike. What people don’t understand is that being transgendered is not as simple as throwing on the opposite gender’s clothing and going on their merry way, it’s a state of mind, it is their identity. These predators, regardless of a bill being passed (or not being passed in this case) to allow transgendered persons to use their gender specific bathroom, will find a way to carry out their heinous crimes. A simple sign on the restroom door has not and will never be enough security to protect anyone one hundred percent of the time.

Trust me, we’re all worried about sexual assault and rape, but instead of using this new debate to shed light on that issue, we need to be brave enough to talk about the issue of rape all of the time. Instead of penalizing transgendered people for simply wanting the right to use the bathroom in which they identify with, let’s talk about rape, let’s talk about sexual assault, let’s handle the issue of rape culture, I mean if that’s truly what we’re worried about.

Also, as if it is not clear: Trans women are women and trans men are men. It does not matter if you agree with their lifestyle, you have every right to disagree if you so please, but we as a society cannot continue to belittle the lives of the trans community just because we don’t understand them completely. I’m not saying that change is not scary, I’m saying that it is necessary to progress as a nation that is for everyone.

No love without freedom; No freedom without love. This includes the freedom to use the bathroom that correlates to your gender identity.

By: Justin Johnson