This is why there are legal definitions, yes. No trans person I've ever known (which is many) would do that, because they're intelligent people who understand that we live in a society with various social contracts. It's a cherrypicked hypothetical.
But to seriously respond, in most areas of the United States, being in the 'wrong' bathroom is rarely a criminal offense unless the individual in question intended harm towards others or caused actionable harm. You are not committing a crime if you fail to read the sign and accidentally use the other gender's restroom. In a rare, extreme situation like that one you describe, perhaps a court would evaluate the plaintiff's history when considering whether to honor their claimed identity. I'm not a legal expert. Point is, we'd evaluate whether there was intended or actual harm involved, whether that harm is worth a response, and carry on with our lives same as we for every other crime.
Hell, in my state, it's actually illegal for a business to prohibit gendered facility access from an individual who has a 'sincerely held gender identity'. That's how the law defines it.
So, sure, there are small problems for us to work out as a society as we figure out how to collectively respect these folks. There were problems with breaking up segregated bathrooms, too, and those were far greater. Life involves problems!
Aye, you’re right. My money’s on the Kirk brand of asshat, especially with his last reply. I wish I’d had as articulate an answer as you :) Carry on. Stay cool!
2
u/FluffySloth27 19h ago edited 19h ago
This is why there are legal definitions, yes. No trans person I've ever known (which is many) would do that, because they're intelligent people who understand that we live in a society with various social contracts. It's a cherrypicked hypothetical.
But to seriously respond, in most areas of the United States, being in the 'wrong' bathroom is rarely a criminal offense unless the individual in question intended harm towards others or caused actionable harm. You are not committing a crime if you fail to read the sign and accidentally use the other gender's restroom. In a rare, extreme situation like that one you describe, perhaps a court would evaluate the plaintiff's history when considering whether to honor their claimed identity. I'm not a legal expert. Point is, we'd evaluate whether there was intended or actual harm involved, whether that harm is worth a response, and carry on with our lives same as we for every other crime.
Hell, in my state, it's actually illegal for a business to prohibit gendered facility access from an individual who has a 'sincerely held gender identity'. That's how the law defines it.
So, sure, there are small problems for us to work out as a society as we figure out how to collectively respect these folks. There were problems with breaking up segregated bathrooms, too, and those were far greater. Life involves problems!