Dear Elizabeth Sollis, Dea Theodore, and other public officials:
I was concerned as I read the recent article in The Salt Lake Tribune, titled, “Men in women’s locker rooms? . . .” Thank you for soliciting responses from county residents.
The “encounters” described by Candace Duncan were reported in such a way as to cause undue concern. There is nothing “threatening” or “unsafe” that hasn’t always been there in public restrooms. We all should be cautious.
Encountering a transgender woman may be new for Duncan, but it should not cause the parks department or the county to swing the pendulum wildly.
I know that I was a little taken aback by my first encounter of a transgender man, but it was uneventful. And such a calm, live-and-let-live attitude should be the norm in our society today. Transgender people only want to go about their lives as normally as possible. If Duncan or others feel threatened, then let them use the private restrooms provided by the county.
Would Duncan require all LGBTQA+ folks to register with the front desk? Does she realize that she has probably been sharing her restroom with lesbians for years? Did she feel threatened because of the potential of sexual assault? And there are gay men in the men’s restroom? Will she not allow boys to use those facilities fearing sexual assault, because we all know (tongue in cheek) that all gay men are pedofiles?
LGBTQA+ is not about sex!
I love Sollis’ response: “Our top priority is to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all our residents. … Therefore, individuals may register for gender-specific activities and use locker rooms and restrooms that align with their gender identity.”
Brava, Ms. Sollis and others who have such inclusive attitudes. That transgender woman needs to use the women’s restroom to feel safe and included.
Duncan and others who harbor such antiquated and bigoted biases should open up their minds and hearts to the pains and stresses that many LGBTQ+ folks are feeling. They are not going to be any more likely to cause her harm in the restrooms or other public spaces than the average human being.
Please, adopt an inclusive and liberal policy for all county facilities.
Mike Packham, Taylorsville
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