Sadly, the face of things is rarely indicative of its substance. This particular bill aims, among other things, to force people to use the restroom/locker matching their gender at birth, regardless of the gender they now identify as.
Proponents of the bill claim that they are trying to protect people's privacy: "There's an expectation that the only other people will be the same gender as they are and that's the way we've been doing things for a long time."
Governor Pat McCrory, from who this narrow insight comes, seems to believe that women are far more comfortable sharing a locker with someone born a woman, who now has all the features of a man, rather than someone born a man who now has all the features of a woman.
Might want to think that one through, Pat.
The talking (empty) heads have taken the argument further (and stupider) by suggesting that allowing transgender people to use the facilities most appropriate to them somehow endangers people, giving perverts carte blanch to go through the other door and molest people.
Setting aside the fact that, if these hypothetical perverts are out to molest people, they're hardly going to be put off by restroom protocol, this argument is still moronic and self-defeating; the suggestion being that a man can simply slip on a dress and walk into the ladies', claiming to be transsexual, then have his wicked way with whomever he chooses. While under North Carolina's bill, the pervert in this hypothetical scenario doesn't even need a dress:
"What are you doing in here?"
"No, it's fine. According to the law, I have to use this bathroom."
Proponents of the bill claim that they are trying to protect people's privacy: "There's an expectation that the only other people will be the same gender as they are and that's the way we've been doing things for a long time."
Governor Pat McCrory, from who this narrow insight comes, seems to believe that women are far more comfortable sharing a locker with someone born a woman, who now has all the features of a man, rather than someone born a man who now has all the features of a woman.
Might want to think that one through, Pat.
The talking (empty) heads have taken the argument further (and stupider) by suggesting that allowing transgender people to use the facilities most appropriate to them somehow endangers people, giving perverts carte blanch to go through the other door and molest people.
Setting aside the fact that, if these hypothetical perverts are out to molest people, they're hardly going to be put off by restroom protocol, this argument is still moronic and self-defeating; the suggestion being that a man can simply slip on a dress and walk into the ladies', claiming to be transsexual, then have his wicked way with whomever he chooses. While under North Carolina's bill, the pervert in this hypothetical scenario doesn't even need a dress:
"What are you doing in here?"
"No, it's fine. According to the law, I have to use this bathroom."
Of course, the arguments are nothing more than a smokescreen to disguise the discriminatory attitude of those pushing the bill. Better to hide behind a nonsensical argument than admit to a purposeful attack on transgender people, and the LGBT community at large.
Conservatives need an enemy; someone they can point at and say, "Look, they're different form you and threatening your way of life! Put us in charge and we'll protect you!" Historically, race has been the easiest tool for this - "They're a different shade! Suspect them!" - but with increasing social diversity, this argument has become a lot harder to make.
"Look out! It's a terrorist!"
"Who, Suresh? Doubt it. He does amateur dramatics, and can't play CoD to save his life. Kicks my arse at pool, though."
Not that discrimination against the LGBT community is anything new, but the sad irony of the increasing acceptance and understanding of society as a whole is conservatives can rile up their base with bullshit claims of a 'Gay Agenda' and the erosion of 'Traditional Family Values'.
As McCrory says: "Most people had never heard of this issue five months ago, until the political left started saying, 'We need bathroom rules and policies,' not just for government facilities and schools but also for the private sector."
In other words, the only reason this is a problem is because people have been made aware of the problem. Ignorance is bliss, eh Pat?
As McCrory says: "Most people had never heard of this issue five months ago, until the political left started saying, 'We need bathroom rules and policies,' not just for government facilities and schools but also for the private sector."
In other words, the only reason this is a problem is because people have been made aware of the problem. Ignorance is bliss, eh Pat?
And if the standard scaremongering doesn't work: "Leviticus 18:22 - 'You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination.'"
Yeah, well: Deuteronomy 14:8 - 'The pig...is unclean for you. You shall not eat any of their flesh nor touch their carcasses.' So that's bacon sandwiches and American Football out, too. And don't get God started on polyester blends!
Side note: People with knowingly discriminatory views are always quick to quote the Bible - or whatever their preferred religious text happens to be - as a defence, but they get somewhat fuzzier on dogmatic doctrine when it comes to, say, the acquisition of wealth: Matthew 19:24 - '...it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'
"Yeees...but, you see, what Jesus meant was...well, he was just being hyperbolic. He didn't really mean I have to give up my trust-fund and multi-billion dollar business interests if I want to get into Heaven. That's just crazy talk!"
Hardly surprising from people who base their 'morality' on a 400 year-old adaptation of a 500 year-old translation of 1,500 year-old texts, based on 2,000 year-old stories adapted from several thousand year-old teachings born of ignorance and a desire to control the ignorant.
Anyway, defiant as North Carolina's governor is when it comes to his barely-closeted homophobia, it's reassuring that the cost reaches further than just a reputation as a repressed, small-minded twonk. It's a positive age we're living in when something that, at one time not so long ago, would have gone broadly unnoticed (and possibly even been widely applauded) can now hit a state's economy, with big-name artists and businesses pulling shows and investments that would otherwise have filled the state's coffers.
Yeah, well: Deuteronomy 14:8 - 'The pig...is unclean for you. You shall not eat any of their flesh nor touch their carcasses.' So that's bacon sandwiches and American Football out, too. And don't get God started on polyester blends!
Side note: People with knowingly discriminatory views are always quick to quote the Bible - or whatever their preferred religious text happens to be - as a defence, but they get somewhat fuzzier on dogmatic doctrine when it comes to, say, the acquisition of wealth: Matthew 19:24 - '...it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.'
"Yeees...but, you see, what Jesus meant was...well, he was just being hyperbolic. He didn't really mean I have to give up my trust-fund and multi-billion dollar business interests if I want to get into Heaven. That's just crazy talk!"
Hardly surprising from people who base their 'morality' on a 400 year-old adaptation of a 500 year-old translation of 1,500 year-old texts, based on 2,000 year-old stories adapted from several thousand year-old teachings born of ignorance and a desire to control the ignorant.
Anyway, defiant as North Carolina's governor is when it comes to his barely-closeted homophobia, it's reassuring that the cost reaches further than just a reputation as a repressed, small-minded twonk. It's a positive age we're living in when something that, at one time not so long ago, would have gone broadly unnoticed (and possibly even been widely applauded) can now hit a state's economy, with big-name artists and businesses pulling shows and investments that would otherwise have filled the state's coffers.
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