I used the ladies room.

[VickiTheGamer]

This is one of my most terrifying thoughts. I have not gone out of the house yet and the fear of needing to use the restroom when dressed is so bad. I just keep envisioning going off to use the restroom and walking into the Men's room as a women. I mean, for me, if I go out (finally) it's going to be when I feel I look right. I look (and feel) like a women, but then the inevitable will happen. Do I use the woman's restroom and chance someone causing me a problem as if I were a pervert and were using CD'ing as a ploy to be in there, or do I use the Men's restroom and destroy the image I worked so hard on before I finally went out into public.

Aaaaaaaaaa

[Maria S]

When I am out in male mode I have to stop myself from automatically going into the ladies loo.

Maria

[Maria S]

This is one of my most terrifying thoughts. I have not gone out of the house yet and the fear of needing to use the restroom when dressed is so bad. I just keep envisioning going off to use the restroom and walking into the Men's room as a women. I mean, for me, if I go out (finally) it's going to be when I feel I look right. I look (and feel) like a women, but then the inevitable will happen. Do I use the woman's restroom and chance someone causing me a problem as if I were a pervert and were using CD'ing as a ploy to be in there, or do I use the Men's restroom and destroy the image I worked so hard on before I finally went out into public.

Aaaaaaaaaa

Vicki, when you finally go to a ladies loo you just keep cool and calm and act like any other lady there. Go to the loo. In the cubicle make sure you put the seat down again afterwards. Don't tinkle into the water in the pan (obviously women pee in a different direction) as it is amazing what a sound it can make if you don't. When you come ALWAYS wash your hands some men don't but women always do. Adjust your lipstick and brush your hair and walk out.

Maria

[linda allen]

Where I used to work there were more women than men so if the woman's restroom was in use, many of the women would use the men's restroom. Of course, when the men's room was in use, I was tempted to use the women's room but I never did.

[Emogene]

Thread after thread concerning the use of the women's restroom en femme basically repeats the same suggestions and express the same fears on site after site. As a newbie, this is real fear. My first experience in Las Vegas was fast, easy, no problem. No one even looked up! And I'm not exactly what you would call a fashion plate.

Have any of you ladies ever been arrested?

Have any of you been accosted by management or security?

Have other's using the restroom ever said anything to you?



It would be nice to see a real poll so we could judge if there is in fact a problem or simply the perception of a problem with crossdressers using a water closet specifically designated as a woman's restroom.

[Jamie001]

Many years ago I worked at a high tech company when I went to use the men's room. I was in a stall when I hear the click clack of heels on the tile floor. I was thinking "oh sh*t I went into the ladies room by accident, how do I get out without being charged as a perv." I finished my business, opened the stall door and right across there were the urinals. I guess I was not the one in the wrong place.

It may have been me in that men's room since I wear high-heels quite often.

[*ROXY*]

To men it doesn't matter about having unisex toilets but just eliminating the urinals won't stop men splashing all over the seats (because they've got rubbish aim and refuse to lift the seat). Wouldn't take long for them to end up in the state most gents toilets end up in :-)

[brandi.tgurl]

i was a at a convention once, and had to find a loo. I swore there was a picture of a guy on the blue sign on the door, and burst into the bathroom foyer. if it wasn't such a big place, or me a vendor, i might have continued, yet i didn't want to cause a potential scene. but, i distinctly remember coming to a halt, almost tripping over myself because where there should have been a wall of urinals was nothing but sinks - and what should have been a quite busy restroom, as i've never seen one empty at these conventions, was silent as the hour before dawn. i actually, had a moment where i had to take in and replay the scenario in my head (which came out like a very dramatic movie), before determining, that yes, i had in fact burst into the ladies room. i made an about face, giggled at my error, and slipped out, undetected. then i realized, this side of the hall had 2 entries to the ladies', and the mens' was on the other end of the hall.
there are times where i have made the decision to use the ladies' room just because it was there, and i could. however, they have almost always been the single stall type with locking doors. regardless of the label on the door, i have always considered these to be unisex. but this time, was not one of those... :|

Also, the rules about using a restroom labeled for your opposite gender/sex very from state to state. And, probably in some cases city to city. For, example, i have read, but never experienced, that Disneyland in Anaheim forbids CDs presenting as women from using the ladies' loo. However, in general, California, has pretty loose legal regulations when it comes to public restrooms; ie. single stall, locking restrooms may be used by either gender, if the loo matching your own gender is already in use (of course, be a gentleman, if you're a guy using a ladies' toilet: lift the seat, don't splash on the porcelain, and wipe down any mess you make, AND PUT THE SEAT DOWN WHEN YOU'RE DONE!); also, CD/TG/TS persons may use group public restrooms of opposite of their genetic gender, as long as it can be reasonably determined that the CD/TG/TS is presenting as the gender of the restroom (s)he is using. Of course, this leaves a little interpretation, but basically, a man with hairy legs, a beard, and a ball cap in a ball gown would legally be better off using the mens' room over the ladies' as he is not presenting female. But, if you're cleanly shaven, your make is done up right, and you're using shapers to give you curves, a GM could presumably use the ladies room in a pair of hiphugger boot cut jeans, high heels, and a blouse - as he is presenting female. And, of course don't dilly dadle. Go in; locate an available stall; sit, don't stand; do your business; wash your hands; maybe a quick check in the mirror, and some make up touch up; and leave. Staying any longer than that, and depending on your company, or geographic location, may give the wrong impression. when i am out as brandi, i feel much more comfortable using the ladies' room if i have to go potty, than the men's, and my own experience has been that using the ladies en femme is much less dramatic than using the men's, too.

[Maria S]

Sometimes when in male mode when I go to places that I go more in girl mode if I need the loo the times I have just stopped myself going to the ladies. It's as if my auto pilot has had it's settings changed.

Maria

[Angie G]

You know you wanted to do it Catherine. We all do.
Angie

[ambigendrous]

Many years ago I worked at a high tech company when I went to use the men's room. I was in a stall when I hear the click clack of heels on the tile floor. I was thinking "oh sh*t I went into the ladies room by accident, how do I get out without being charged as a perv." I finished my business, opened the stall door and right across there were the urinals. I guess I was not the one in the wrong place.

Had this happen to me one Halloween. The group I worked with was really into costumes for Halloween so one year I decided to go all out - nice conservative office attire consisting of a gray pencil skirt about knee-length, white sleeveless top with a jacket that matched the skirt. Pushup bra, slim-slip, off-black hose, and a pair of white Chinese Laundry 4" heeled sandals completed the ensemble. Still had my ugly mug in plain view - beard, moustache, and balding short hair so there was no way I was trying to pass. Had a great time all day - people would come by my cubicle with all kinds of excuses just to get a look at me, and my boss managed to reschedule a meeting so I had to attend.

Anyway, it was time to answer nature's call and I decided that since pretty much everybody knew me I would go ahead and use the men's room. I'm sitting in a stall taking care of business and my heels are plainly visible under the walls and door. I finish my business and go to wash my hands and a guy comes out of the stall next to mine and says "Well, I guess I'm in the right room after all - I wasn't sure for a while!" We had a laugh and he congratulated me on my "costume" and we left.

All day I had nothing but positive reactions, but I guess that's to be expected for Halloween...

[5150 Girl]

When aproaching a rest room, I have to somtimes touch my chest, before I decide which side to turn into....

[Deborah Kaye]

I used the ladies room for the first time just last week while at the Mall. I used to visit the Macy's there as a stop in a contract delivery job. I knew right where the facilities were and did not even consider which to go into. I mean I WAS presenting as a woman so where else would I go?

[Paula T]

I was just going into the local "fleet and farm" store one day for something (in drab) or course and I had to go so bad that I blundered in the wrong door and realized it right after I sat down. Well what can one do, finished and got the heck out of there didn't wash my hands either.

[Kimberly Renee]

Thread after thread concerning the use of the women's restroom en femme basically repeats the same suggestions and express the same fears on site after site. As a newbie, this is real fear. My first experience in Las Vegas was fast, easy, no problem. No one even looked up! And I'm not exactly what you would call a fashion plate.

Have any of you ladies ever been arrested?

Have any of you been accosted by management or security?

Have other's using the restroom ever said anything to you?



It would be nice to see a real poll so we could judge if there is in fact a problem or simply the perception of a problem with crossdressers using a water closet specifically designated as a woman's restroom.

Recently in Baltimore MD a pre-surgery TS got a major beat down by 2 girls so yeah, there are dangers.

[Eryn]

I think that the bathroom gender anxiety stems from the fact that one of the first things that a small child does independently is use a public restroom. As soon as Mommy (sexist, but it usually is Mommy) takes the child out in public she carefully teaches the child to use only the restroom for the correct gender. The importance of this impressed upon us when our psyches are still malleable and we don't question things, so we tend to give it undue importance.

When I first went out I was very nervous about restrooms but now they hold neither excitement or fear for me. My main concern is finding a stall that isn't dirty and has a supply of paper. I don't interact with anyone beyond a smile and "excuse me" if appropriate.

I remember visiting a restaurant in Nevada that had a bit of fun with Bathroom Gender Anxiety. As you left the Men's room you could see clearly through the glass door the word "WOMEN" painted in reverse! Of course it was an optical illusion, but it was fun to watch the people emerging from the restroom, turning, and carefully examining the outside of the door to make sure that the were Using The Right Facility!

[Kimberly Renee]

Toward the end of a 12 hour car trip and late at night (should've been 10 but there was snow) I stopped for gas, coffee and relief. Went into the first restroom door I came to, didn't even look at the sign (which was on the wall a little ways after the door, btw).

I didn't realize until I saw that little metal bin on the side of the stall. I was so tired the thought process was like - hmmm, that's a container they usually have in the women's room ... I wonder why they put one in here ... wait a minute ... I don't remember seeing any urinals when I walked in ... OMG! I finished up fast, not wanting to be caught with my pants down (literally!). As I exited I glanced at the sign, threw a verbal "sorry" into the air and headed for the coffee center.

I quickly got my coffee and went to the counter to pay. The female cashier said I didn't have to pay for the coffee. I thanked her and left, not knowing if the coffee was free with a fill up or because she saw what happened and thought it was funny.