SHARING BATHROOMS
There is something outrageous being proposed in Eugene. Now, being from the Bay Area, and involving myself in the modeling world of San Francisco means that I qualify as a person with exposure to both colorful gender issues and tolerance of such issues.

I, myself, am a very tolerant person. I've argued for equality in health care for gay couples, and I've danced in front of the S.F. City Hall during the Gay Rights Parade. I've seen cross-dressers, I've seen men holding hands, and I've been exposed to a lot of literature about sexual tolerance, both in schools and off campus. But how far can I be wrestled into "tolerance" of something that is bizarre, potentially dangerous, and disturbing?

Why can't men piss in their own bathrooms? Instead of arguing for other's rights, gay, bi or straight, I am going to argue for myself. Call me selfish, but I don't want to share the bathroom with Joe Schmoe the transgender barber %G—%@ I don't care if his stilettos do match the Moschimo evening gown from this fall's collection. I'm concerned about my safety, and the safety of all women and little girls who use public restrooms.

Women are hunted in today's society. We have to be careful walking down the street at dusk, we carry pepper spray on hikes, we have to watch our drinks. Unless there's some sort of discriminatory "bathroom pass," that says, "Yes, I am an actual transgender individual," who's to stop any transgender poser from waltzing in and attacking, raping or kidnapping a little girl using the potty? Who's to stop the abusive boyfriend from chasing his girlfriend into the ladies stall %G—%@ a place she used to go for escape?

Who's going to stop sick people from dressing up and loitering for the ladies %G—%@ must we also have police in the rest rooms, dusting our coats and drying our hands? Must we have safety buttons, to be pushed in case of an emergency?

I am ready to be tolerant. I read about women fighting for their rights to kiss other women and be respected. I believe in breastfeeding in public. I will protest and be arrested for gay rights, the environment, and anything else that I feel strongly infringes on the liberty and safety of others. Thus, I strongly take a stand %G—%@ for myself. I would like to be respected with the right to have a ladies rest room stay that way. I would like the right to let my little girl use the park bathroom without scoping it out for "strange men." I would like the right to ask transgender individuals, straight, gay or bi, to be tolerant of women's rights.

Paige Lehmann
LCC student