NY Appellate Court: CD's Must Use Mens Room

[JenniferCD516]

Judges Slam Ladies-Room Door on Drag Queens
Helen Peterson - NY Daily News - March 31 2005

What a drag! Men who dress as women don't have the right to use ladies bathrooms, an appeals court has ruled. The decision by the Appellate Division came in the case of a Queens AIDS group, Hispanic AIDS Forum, that sued after its Jackson Heights landlord refused to renew its lease.

The landlord wanted the group to agree in writing that its transgender clients - men who identify psychologically with women and dress in female clothing - would not use the ladies room in the building. The group sued, charging the landlord was violating state and city human rights laws.

But in a 4-to-1 decision, the appellate court found the forum's clients were merely prohibited from using the rest rooms based on their biology, like all tenants. In a scathing dissent, Justice David Saxe said the majority had missed the point of the lawsuit and were guilty of misstating its claims.

A lawyer for the group, Edward Hernstadt, said it's considering whether to appeal the decision or amend and refile the suit. "I think [the decision] does a terrible disservice to transgendered people and denies the reality of transgendered people in New York," Hernstadt said.

[Sweet Susan]

An interesting situation, no doubt. Not sure if I'd want to go into a men's bathroom again while en femme after the last time I tried it.

[sidney_girl]

So, where does that leave us?

When en femme, I'm afraid to use the men's room, but am unsure of the legality of using the women's. So what do I do? Not go at all? That hardly seems fair. :mad:

Okay, I don't live in New York, but I do wonder what the legal situation is in the rest of the country. Anyone know anything definite? Especially re: California. :confused:

[Robertacd]

Intresting thing around here is in the only friendly club we have, once the place gest crowded only homosexual men use the mens room. (They ain't goin' in there just to pee) :eek:

Straight men no matter how they are dressed, and women of all sexual orentations use the womens room. :cool:

[Chrissycd]

I went out with two gg girlfriends to a trendy pasta bar in Minneapolis. We talked for an hour before we even ordered dinner! During that time, they each consumed a large glass of beer, while I sipped a glass of wine and barely touched my water. They d/n realize why until they had each gone to the lou and returned, having begun their second round.
When they realized what I was avoiding, they were absolutely horrified! They insisted on taking me to pee right that instant, but I d/n need to go, so we stayed put. They were up in arms over it, though, and urged me to drink ALOT so that I'd have to go. It was a wonderful show of support, and the fact is that it would have been no trouble in this restaurant anyway, being that it's right on the U campus, the bathrooms are dimly lit, and I present myself nicely enough.
Still, it is unsettling to know that when I go out en femme, I must go through this. It's demeaning, and discriminatory plain and simple.
I say we organize a potty protest, pick a date, and fill public lady's rooms worldwide in protest. It'll be a true SIT IN. :) If we can't pee, NOBODY can!!!
:p