I have yet to go in public, but wanted to know when I do, and do need to use the restrooms, do I go to the women or men's bathrooms? If i enter the women's bathroom and get "uncovered", will i be thrown in jail? vice versa? thanks
I have yet to go in public, but wanted to know when I do, and do need to use the restrooms, do I go to the women or men's bathrooms? If i enter the women's bathroom and get "uncovered", will i be thrown in jail? vice versa? thanks
That depends which country and, if the US, which state you're in?
See this recent thread for the last discussion of this..
Last edited by Nicki B; 03-27-2008 at 06:50 PM.
Nicki
[SIZE="1"]Moi?[/SIZE]
Personally I've never had a problem. But there is a chance if you do, that you could get arrested. In Ohio it's called "Disorderly Conduct." The code is much too long for me to post here. Basically, if you upset a female ("of ordinary sensibilities"). You can be subject to arrest. If I were you, go in get it over with, and don't stay around, in case someone calls the police. One girl here claimes to have been arrested for such an offence.
I've always used the ladies restroom, but be careful and respectful. Most of the time I'll try to go with a GG, and she would probably look after me a little bit. I couldn't imagine using the mens room, this would be more of a problem.
Dana Ryan
If you're presenting youreself as female, at some point in time you will have to go to the bathroom... I recommend using the ladies. Just rember it's a normal bodily function that everyone has to get done. Keep in mind that you need to do it like a female, ie you don't stand up to pee... Just go in, try not to be paranoid about it, choose a stall and sit down and do your thing. When you're finished, do the things that you would normally do, like washing your hands, check your face or clothes or whatever and depart. I wouldn't recommend getting chatty, unless you're really confident in your voice or unless there's someone you know. Afterall, this is not a place to be picking up chicks, it's a place to get your bidness done and move on.
I found my first experiences to be similar to buying female clothes the first several times. Nervous, self conscious, paranoid... Once you've done it several times, you eventually get over it and it's just old hat.
Priss
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Jewel
It depends on the state and country as stated by the above,
Also, it depends on how well your mannerisms and passability and respectfulness, and the enviroment. Try the girls going to the bathroom in comittee thang when you're with yer friends to make it more comfortable in a club or bar atmosphere (which is very informal of course) at first. That makes your more comfortable, and when you got your T down on everythang then you're ready to use it 24 7.
You can't go in there looking a hot mess though.
If your state has backwards legislation cops are evil. They will arrest you. I have been to jail and state prison. It's not a good place to T-girls, transgendered, or even homosexuals.
Where is that, Tessa?
Nicki
[SIZE="1"]Moi?[/SIZE]
As I've been doing a little research on Las Vegas, I understand that you cannot legally use a female restroom if your ID indicates you're male in Nevada. IMHO if you go into a female restroom with another GG you shouldn't have much problem.
...just your average 30 something trying to find the woman inside me and let her out to play for a bit ...
Wow... going for a pee can't be such a big deal surely??? OK I guess it helps that in Western Autralia there is no law that segregates female and male toilet facilities and the signs on the door are merely a formality and legally we can use which ever we like. I have to admit though that except at nightclubs I rarely see boys in the ladies and I have never been to the mens since going fulltime.
Seriously though, being arrested for taking a leak?????? I thought the US was supposed to be "the land of the free"?
Cathii
[SIZE="1"]* I use the words trans-people / trans / trans community as interchangeable terms all meaning the same thing... CD's, TV's, drag queens, drag kings, transsexuals (MtF, FtM, post-op, pre-op), those that identify as gender queer, and those that don't identify as anything in particular... I just can't be bothered typing that out _all_ the time... [/SIZE]
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
more like the land of the free as long as you follow the rule's.
I know I've accidently went into the girl room in male mode b/4 at the end of a long day behind the wheel of my truck, but i've never gotten in trouble for it. I think that like a lot of things that i do that are outside society's norm's here in the US. most of the people just assumed i was gay and left it at that. no big scenes, no pottie police.
[SIZE="3"]"All I Know is that the choices we make dictate the life's we live, to thy ownself be True." Danny DeVieto Reinassance Man[/SIZE]
Ashley Lynn
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[SIZE="3"]"All I Know is that the choices we make dictate the life's we live, to thy ownself be True." Danny DeVieto Reinassance Man[/SIZE]
Ashley Lynn
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Actually, I just avoid public bathrooms altogether.
I cannot go in the men's room. It scares me, and I'm further scared by an incident my friend had when he left the men's bathroom and got assaulted. However, I refuse to go into the woman's bathroom... It feels utterly wrong.
So, I keep a little thing of that hand sanitizer in the car and take it with me, use it before I eat. :) Much less stress.
Well, you really need to check local laws. 13 states and over 300 major US cities have protected the rights of transgendered people. If you are in a major city, most likely you may use the ladies restroom. Many states don't even have laws regarding this and many businesses are going to Unisex bathrooms to avoid these issues.
Here in CA it's perfectly legal to use the restroom of the gender you are expressing. In fact, the Los Angeles Sherriff's Department recommends this, as crossdressers may be harassed or physically harmed in the well hidden men's restroom. Just follow etiquette. Go in, take care of your business sitting down with feet pointing the correct direction. "DO NOT STAND TO PEE!!!!!". Also remember that most girls start reeling off the TP as soon as they sit down. Wipe, flush and make sure you left nothing on the seat. If you did wipe it away. Wash your hands and leave. Don't spend a lot of time in there primping, unless you pass flawlessly. Walk with your head up like you belong there and exit with grace.
I have never had any problems and I have been full time for 4 years. Good luck
Love always,
Elizabeth
[SIZE=3]It is always our choice, who we are-Waking Life[/SIZE]
The unisex bathroom is where I feel most comfortable.
Lanore
[SIZE="3"]Lanore[/SIZE]
Oh for more unisex toilets in this country backwards England lol!!! xx Felix
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Me, Myself and Felix!!
If you are out and about as a woman, don't use the men's room, you might get killed. If you use the ladies room and you look like a guy in drag, you have a problem. If you feel pretty comfortable that you pass as a woman, by all means, us the ladies room. you'll be fine.
I always use the ladies room and have never had a problem.
hugs
Sejd
Ok, well, I am in Iowa .... so there are no unisex bathrooms. I just called the Police station and asked. According to two different officers, it is illegal for a genetic man to use the ladies bathrooms here. The exception, they said, was for a Post-Op transgendered person.
So far I've been out dressed only once (well, for an extended period). That time I lined up for the men's. I did not feel I was "passing" that night, I figured it safer. As it turns out, the bathrooms at this place have only one spot anyhow..... so I could have used either. I'm going out again at the end of the month, so this issue will likely come up again. For me, when I go out, I want to stay out for quite a while and enjoy myself. Hence I cannot expect to "hold it". I really do not think that men will beat you up in a bathroom over a dress. I do not want a screaming drunk woman yelling "get that sickoo man in a dress out of the bathroom"....
In the other thread (mentioned above) there was a similar discussion to this one, I will re-ask a question from there with few answers:
If you have used the women's room, AND you caused some trouble (of some sort) by doing that, how did it go ??
C.
I've always used the womens bathroom. Not once have I had an issue. The only time I have used the mens bath room was when the line at the womens bathroom was way to long.
But yes for safety use the bathroom you are dressed for.
I always you use the Ladies' room and have never had a problem.
Oh what a thrill it is to have to stand in line in the ladies room, but that is the price we pay for wearing a dress. I would never go into the mens room dressed in a dress those nasty boys pee on everything. The last time I was out was to a club which boosts a GLBT crowsd also has many straight folks as well. When I went to the ladies I push the door and almost bumped into a girl standing the "the LINE" waiting. I took my place and waited my turn in fact the girl that came out of the stall looked directly at me and said it's all yours sweetie. I took car of my needs and stepped out to find that room was still packed made my way to the sink and washed my hands, re-applied my lipstick, fluffed my wig and put some hand lotion on as I stepped towards the door. One of the girls waiting in line opened the door for me and said I like your dress. I said thank you and for her to have a fun evening, she repiled you too.
I have learned that you go in like you own the place and if you are thinking that you are doing something wrong no one else will .
I use the ladies room if the location is not a high traffic area, I do prefer the old tree behind the building(kidding) Now the best option is a unisex restroom, if not available follow many of the great tip mentioned.