These reports of aggressive encounters in access to women’s toilets have recently spiked for gender non-conforming individuals. One particular recent Supreme Court ruling has been the cause of tremendous controversy. As a consequence, frontline support services like Galop are witnessing a massive upsurge in trans+ and gender-diverse people approaching them for support following hate crimes. These experiences illustrate the widening climate of fear within the community. Millions of trans people are facing realities that test their legal right to access these gendered spaces.
Claire Prihartini, who was diagnosed with breast cancer a year and a half ago and had a bilateral mastectomy. Now, with a flat chest marked by two small scars and no nipples, Prihartini finds herself challenged in public spaces. On one occasion, when visiting her local swimming pool, a woman confronted her in the changing room, asking her what she was doing there.
In the same way that Caz Coronel was harassed while queuing for the women’s restroom at the Royal Festival Hall. One guy yelled out, “The men’s bathrooms are over here!” This unfortunate incident points to a greater problem. Many trans women are terrified that they’ll be put in the position of having to display their birth genitals in these kinds of spaces. Coronel explained, “I’ve had thousands of messages from trans women. These women were living completely as women for more than 20 years and using women’s facilities. Now they are afraid they will be asked to establish their identity. It’s really awful.”
Jenny Willmott, co-founder of the Scottish Lesbians, has faced the same kind of issues since she was a teenager. As someone who is 6’4” with short hair and no makeup, she certainly attracts attention as a transgender woman in women’s bathrooms. This kind of scrutiny often makes her feel objectified.
According to reports, members of the queer and transgender community of color have especially been impacted. Taranjit Chana of Black and Brown Rainbow noted an increase in calls from black and Asian LGBTQ+ individuals who fear or have experienced similar challenges in toilets. Women’s toilets have never been safe spaces for black and brown women. We’re not only men or women. Prihartini underlined that we don’t belong in that gender binary box.
Butch lesbian Nikki Lucas wrote, “I’d like to see more discussion on the safety of women’s toilets. She stated, “If you’re masculine presenting or butch lesbian, women’s toilets are not a safe space. I’ve been spat on, screamed at and it’s just so sad that this looks likely to get worse.” She further described how the atmosphere has shifted, stating, “The looks of hate, the feeling that you just don’t know if you’re going to be safe, have really got worse since the ruling.”
Dee, another community member of west Baltimore opened up and shared her story. Molly had trouble accessing changing rooms at Marks & Spencer. One peruser—a woman, no less—challenged her right to be there, saying, “Well, you ought to watch out these days.” No, to validate her womanhood, Dee found herself needing to unzip her jacket and expose her breasts.
Galop’s Policy and Research Director Bridget Symonds recently wrote about these alarming trends in depth. She pointed out how those who used to not even make eye contact have started to feel more brazen in recent months. They argue or now confront openly challengers and questioners in public restrooms.
Their inspiring and deeply troubling testimonies to Congress reveal the current and alarming state of the climate surrounding these gendered spaces. Their increased exposure to confrontations puts them at risk for immediate harm. It stokes concern and panic among trans+ and gender diverse people.
As discourse around gender identity shifts, it is essential for all of society to engage with these questions. The infrastructure that ensures the presence of safe spaces is not just beneficial but necessary for everyone, irrespective of their gender expression. The testimonies from Claire Prihartini, Caz Coronel, Jenny Willmott, Taranjit Chana, Nikki Lucas, and Dee highlight the urgent requirement for awareness and sensitivity towards the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.