Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Boggled blogger

It is only prudent to start this long post with word definitions.


tran.sex.u.al /(")tran(t)s-'sek-sh(&-)w&l, -sh&l/
Function: noun
:a person who has undergone a sex change operation


trans.ves.tite /tran(t)s-'ves-"t/
Function: noun
:someone who adopts the dress or manner or sexual role of the opposite sex


In order to settle a lawsuit filed by transexual men, the New York Metropolitan Transport Authority has changed their restroom policy to allow "gender expression". This means that a man dressed as a woman could choose to use the ladies' room instead of the men's room. Yes, "dressed as a woman" versus "who's had a sex change" because there's really no way of checking for the latter -- at least not for the purpose of permitting or restricting restroom usage.


This topic has been the heart of countless conversations and debates alike. And while I may have participated in both many a times already, I still don't have a firm stand. In fact, this controversial topic has been boggling this blogger's mind for a couple of years already.


  • First of all, can you always tell if a person is a transexual or a transvestite? See, I can't say for certain but I might be fine with using the restroom with someone who has undergone a sex change operation (i.e. a transexual). As for someone dressed as a lady only (i.e. a transvestite), I am most definitely opposed to them using the ladies' washroom if only because sick perverts can take advantage of such provisions. Yup, just slip into a dress, slather some make-up on, pretend to be a transgender in the ladies' room and you are in pervert heaven.
  • I actually had a similar discussion with a friend a couple of years ago and they told me to "forget about differentiating between transexuals and transvestites." After all, was I "even certain that that pretty girl next to (me) was born a girl?" And I concur because some transgenders are indeed more feminine (or even prettier!) than a lot of the XX-chromosomed populace.
  • And isn't it just as uncomfortable for a man to use the urinal next to a someone dressed as a woman, as it is for a woman to use the restroom with someone who may be a man? I'm just speculating here but my guess is yes.
  • And what does all this say about the ever debatable topics of freedom, discrimation, human rights, safety, equality, religion.... and I could go on and on.
And at the end of this long (and pointless?) exercise, the mind is still boggled and I'm still at a quandary. Maybe the answer lies in having 3 restrooms in all public places. A He, a She and a Free For All.

this coffee break @ 12:40 PM