Target: Washington State Human Rights Commission Executive Director, Sharon Ortiz
Goal: Praise commission for upholding the right of transgender individuals to use restrooms matching their gender identity.
Public and private buildings in Washington state will now be required to allow transgender people to use restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identities. This progressive rule has been upheld by the state Senate, thereby making this a huge success for the transgender community. The issue of what bathrooms are made accessible to transgender individuals has become a point of contention in many states, and many ForceChange petitions have been written in defense of transgender individuals’ right to use the bathrooms of their gender identity.
With many states engaged in disagreements over what bathrooms transgender people should use, the implementation of this rule in Washington state is extremely significant. Transgender people are a minority group that is often threatened with hostility, violence, and stigmatization, as is evidenced by recent proposals in various states. These proposed rules would require transgender people to use bathrooms matching their physical anatomy, and are close-minded attempts to shame transgender individuals for being different than mainstream society. This is not to be tolerated. In order to improve the lives of the transgender community, it is essential that our society begin implementing changes that support their health and safety.
This is why the new rule in Washington state is so important. It is a rule that respects and promotes the needs of the transgender community, and is an essential and hopeful step forward. We can only hope that other states will follow Washington’s lead, and begin implementing similar protections for their transgender populations. Please sign the below petition to thank the Executive Director of the Washington State Human Rights Commission for enacting this protection for transgender individuals.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Ms. Ortiz,
I am writing to thank you and the Human Rights Commission of Washington State for enacting a rule protecting the right of transgender individuals to use public restrooms that match their gender identity. With the issue of transgender use of bathrooms becoming a point of contention across many states, it is exemplary that your commission and Washington State are leading the way to promote the well-being of the transgender community.
Transgender people are a marginalized group that is often treated with disrespect, bigotry, and violence. We live in a time when all people, no matter how they are similar or different from us, deserve to be respected and to have the opportunity to live safe and healthy lives. With many people refusing to acknowledge or accept the presence of transgender individuals in their communities, it is essential that systemic changes be made to protect the rights of transgender people.
Social change is not easy to implement, and it takes the diligence and perseverance of people and organizations like yours to create positive change. Your recent protection of transgender rights is a huge step in the right direction for our country, and hopefully more and more states will follow your example. Thank you so much to you and your organization for taking steps to protect and defend the rights of a community that is often targeted by marginalization and stigmatization.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: AxelBoldt
So let’s make one thing very clear…if some dude who thinks he’s a she goes into a restroom with my wife…he will regret it a bunch! Our liberal rush to political correctness is so stupid!
All public places and stores should have a unisex bathroom or family bathroom.
If you have a penis use the men’s, a vagina use the womans.
If you feel uncomfortable in either use the unisex.
nonbinary gendered people too need unisex bathrooms!