THAT STUDENTS WHO HAPPEN TO BE TRANSGENDER MUST PLAN AROUND THEIR NEED TO USE THE BATHROOM IS ESPECIALLY IMPRACTICAL AND UNJUST.

In the last five days, I have used the men’s at least as many times. Most recently, a few minutes ago. The line for the ladies’ was five people strong and the men’s clear, a no-brainer. In Indiana and other places, this no-brainer may soon constitute a legal violation. Nearly everywhere, it is at least a social transgression. 

The argument for gender-adherent bathrooms is usually centered on protecting women from the sexual violence of men. The Natural Violence of Men seems a permanent feature of society. Never mind that assault hasn’t proven significantly more prevalent in places where bathrooms are in a shared space or that young boys are also victims of sexual assault.

That students who happen to be transgender must plan around their need to use the bathroom—“estimating how long they will be on campus for the day, wondering what they can eat at school”—is especially impractical and unjust. If the middle-aged man is the biggest threat to society perhaps it is he who should shit in isolation.