By Matt Underwood Ban of transgender people from Utah’s public bathrooms passes Senate
As I read about the recent decision to ban transgender individuals from using public restrooms in Utah, I couldn’t help but feel a mix of anger, frustration, and disbelief. It is disheartening to witness such discriminatory policies being passed in this day and age, especially in a country that prides itself on equality and freedom.
The statistics speak volumes about the direction of American politics. With 28% of Gen Z identifying as LGBTQ+ and 22% identifying as Republican, it is clear that the demographics are shifting. However, the ban on transgender people using public bathrooms in Utah shows that certain factions of the Republican party are digging their heels in and trying to resist change.
It is alarming to see the tactics being used by some members of the GOP to instigate a “furry panic” and divert attention from more pressing issues, such as border security. The fact that they are running out of scare tactics and resorting to targeting a marginalized group like the transgender community is a testament to their desperation.
The ban on people of color from public restrooms in the past was a dark chapter in American history, and this ban on transgender individuals is no different. It is a violation of basic human rights and an affront to the principles of equality and inclusivity that this country should stand for.
The idea that these religious fascists, as they’re often referred to, can ban tax-paying citizens from using public facilities simply because they don’t agree with their identities is ludicrous. This is nothing more than empty rhetoric and hot air. It is blatantly discriminatory and, quite frankly, illegal.
I find myself wondering why these individuals are so fixated on other people’s genitalia. It is a bizarre obsession that I cannot comprehend. It is not anyone’s place to dictate how others identify or to deny them access to basic facilities. Everyone deserves the right to use the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity.
Utah, a state that some may argue is made up of two cults, seems to be living up to its reputation in promoting these discriminatory policies. It is disheartening to witness the deep-rooted prejudices that still exist in certain parts of this country.
However, it is important to note that Utah is not alone in its regressive policies. Other states, such as Ohio, are following suit in their attempts to limit the rights of transgender individuals. It is becoming increasingly important for LGBTQIA individuals and women to speak up and leave these red states en masse, making their voices heard and demanding change.
The fact that some lawmakers may have gender-specific bathrooms in their own homes only highlights the hypocrisy and ignorance of their decision. It is a privilege they take for granted, while denying others the basic right to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity.
The argument that cisgender individuals may be uncomfortable sharing restrooms with transgender individuals is baseless and unfounded. Transgender men often look indistinguishable from cisgender men, and transgender women from cisgender women. The fear-mongering and exaggerated scenarios that opponents of transgender rights often present are simply not grounded in reality.
The solution to this issue seems straightforward to me. Rather than restricting access based on gender, we should do away with gendered bathrooms altogether. Private stalls with walls would provide privacy and eliminate the need for discriminatory policies or invasive checks of people’s genitalia.
It is disheartening to witness the way fellow Americans are being treated by these policies. It is time for conservatives to realize that their bigotry and discrimination are not acceptable. Such actions only serve to further divide our nation and perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
Religious individuals often claim to be compassionate and loving, but their actions and support for discriminatory policies suggest otherwise. This is why it is crucial for LGBTQIA individuals and their allies to fight back, to speak out, and demand change. It is time to stop this hatred and prejudice from spreading any further.
The enforcement of such a ban is also questionable. How would officials know who is transgender and who is not? It is absurd to think that there would be genitalia checks or police stationed outside bathrooms inspecting people’s gender identities. This ban reeks of an oppressive and fascist agenda, and it is important to call it out for what it is.
As I contemplate this ban on transgender individuals using public restrooms in Utah, I am reminded of the historical injustices that marginalized communities have faced in this country. From the ban on blacks using certain facilities to the discrimination against Jewish individuals, we have seen the destructive consequences of such policies.
It is crucial that we learn from our past and work towards a future where every person is treated with dignity and respect. We cannot allow regressive policies to divide us any further. It is time for change, for activism, and for standing up against discrimination wherever and whenever we see it.
In conclusion, the ban on transgender individuals from using public bathrooms in Utah is a violation of basic human rights. It is discriminatory, unjust, and completely incompatible with the principles of equality and inclusivity that we should uphold. We must continue to fight against such policies, raise our voices, and work towards a society that celebrates and embraces diversity.