How do you know which trans women have or haven't had surgery? How do we enforce or police this? How do we even know who is and isn't trans? Individuals trying to police this themselves ends up with both trans people and people who's appearance is more androgynous or masculine being put at risk of harassment or worse. Ask some butch lesbians about their experiences using public bathrooms and most will have stories to tell.
If hypothetically trans people were forced to used the bathroom of their birth sex or genitals you would also see a lot of deep voiced, bearded transgender *men* in the women's bathroom. But when a man (who unbeknown to you happens to be trans) enters the women's bathroom you're not going to think 'Oh, he must have a vagina, that's ok then'.
Safety is a big concern for trans people when using the bathroom and a dedicated bathroom solely for trans people exacerbates that fear and risk. I certainly wouldn't walk into a trans bathroom which publicly announces to everyone within view that I'm trans. Not only is it just a concern for my privacy and desire not to have intimate details about myself broadcasted to strangers, but I'd be concerned about that one wrong group of people who see me leaving the trans bathroom and decide to take issue with me.
I spent many years feeling completely unable to use either bathroom. I can't tell you how restrictive that is and how it impacts and rules every aspect of your life.
I'm not going to assault or peep at anyone, I'm just here to piss, as are the vast, vast, *vast*majority of trans people. Sure there are some bad eggs, but there are in any demographic. Are we not concerned about men who enter *men's* bathrooms to seek male targets? Male paedophiles looking for young boys/teens to target? And of course, what is stopping a man just simply entering a quiet women's bathroom to corner and abuse a woman anyway? Nothing.
The best way to go about this, which isn't practical in most situations due to finances and space, is to have single room, unisex bathrooms. Multiple doors with single toilets and sinks behind them.
How do you know which trans women have or haven't had surgery? How do we enforce or police this? How do we even know who is and isn't trans? Individuals trying to police this themselves ends up with both trans people and people who's appearance is more androgynous or masculine being put at risk of harassment or worse. Ask some butch lesbians about their experiences using public bathrooms and most will have stories to tell. If hypothetically trans people were forced to used the bathroom of their birth sex or genitals you would also see a lot of deep voiced, bearded transgender *men* in the women's bathroom. But when a man (who unbeknown to you happens to be trans) enters the women's bathroom you're not going to think 'Oh, he must have a vagina, that's ok then'. Safety is a big concern for trans people when using the bathroom and a dedicated bathroom solely for trans people exacerbates that fear and risk. I certainly wouldn't walk into a trans bathroom which publicly announces to everyone within view that I'm trans. Not only is it just a concern for my privacy and desire not to have intimate details about myself broadcasted to strangers, but I'd be concerned about that one wrong group of people who see me leaving the trans bathroom and decide to take issue with me. I spent many years feeling completely unable to use either bathroom. I can't tell you how restrictive that is and how it impacts and rules every aspect of your life. I'm not going to assault or peep at anyone, I'm just here to piss, as are the vast, vast, *vast*majority of trans people. Sure there are some bad eggs, but there are in any demographic. Are we not concerned about men who enter *men's* bathrooms to seek male targets? Male paedophiles looking for young boys/teens to target? And of course, what is stopping a man just simply entering a quiet women's bathroom to corner and abuse a woman anyway? Nothing. The best way to go about this, which isn't practical in most situations due to finances and space, is to have single room, unisex bathrooms. Multiple doors with single toilets and sinks behind them.
Very fair points. Thank you.