Bismarck Tribune - North Dakota News - Anti-bias law is offensive

Anti-bias law is offensive

Jun 10, 2008 - 04:06:16 CDT

By GENE SCHERER
Bismarck

I just returned from the great state of Colorado and the city of Arvada. While visiting there, the governor of Colorado signed into law an "Anti-bias measure."

Quoting from the Denver andWest Section B Page one:"The bill bans discrimination based on a person's religious beliefs or sexual orientation - including trans-gendered people - in places of public accommodation, housing practices, family planning services and 20 other areas."

Opponents say the bill will have serious consequences, such as opening up public rest rooms and locker rooms to all genders and trans-gender people, exposing children and women to harm. The article said:"Henceforth, every woman and little girl will have to fear that a predator, bisexual, cross-dresser or even homosexual or heterosexual male might walk in and relieve himself in their presence."

The Anti-Defamation League feels the claims are not realistic: "They're highly exaggerated, and they're based on fear."

The article states that there was vocal opposition by conservative Christian groups.

Yes, there have been instances where relief is needed in a hurry and men and women have exchanged bathrooms with a guard in attendance.

With this law, if a mother or father stands guard for a child or a husband stands guard for a wife, he cannot legally stop an intruder. If you try to stop a person, you get sued, if you put your fist into his face you get sued. This is an open door to flashers and gangs trying to outdo their rivals.

As per usual, people are too busy or just don't care what happens until it is too late. That measure could easily have made it clear that rest rooms are still off limits to opposite gender. Is this just the beginning for all states? Old people dare not relieve themselves on a public highway, but anyone can walk right into the highway rest area rest room.

This isn't offensive to just Christians, but to Jewish, Islamic and other people as well.

News > Opinion

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Comments

Rowena Moon wrote on Sep 16, 2008 8:24 PM:

" I think this bill is a wonderful step in the right direction! I really don't think it will have any effect on who uses the ladies' or mens' bathrooms though. If a transgendered man or cross-dresser, what have you wants to use the bathroom they are comfortable with, that is just fine with me. I only ask that they keep their eyes in their own stalls and the toilet seat down. Discriminating against GLBT people is just as unjust as it is to discriminate against African Americans. It is high time we became a FREE country that allows EVERYONE the same rights! They deserve the right to marriage too, folks. "

Go with God wrote on Jun 14, 2008 4:29 AM:

" Gays, child molesters, and transexuals are all in the same catagory. They all abuse and degrade the human body. Shame on them. "

Point to Ponder wrote on Jun 12, 2008 5:20 PM:

" To James: OOHHH, those rascally liberals with their refusal of letting old people pee on the road.. GRRR, go get them McSame "

NYxND wrote on Jun 11, 2008 12:07 AM:

" good one James!!! You are so right. The liberals are just crawling out for this one. Crawling on all fours into the public library bathroom wearing a smart pant suit and stilletto heels.

C'mon-You are going to defend this now? "

James wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:09 PM:

" Figures, the liberals are CRAWLING out of the woodwork again! "

Rasmus wrote on Jun 10, 2008 9:41 PM:

" Some people just have way too much time on their hands. What's the deal, Gene?
Global warming, gasoline prices, Iraq war, our falling dollar not big enough issues for you? Now I got to worry about old guys peeing on our highways! Oh, the humanity! "

expositor wrote on Jun 10, 2008 5:26 PM:

" The biggest problem raised here is a matter of plumbing. By creating a third gender, the need for a third restroom for the "whatevers" arises. These morphadites will eventually have their way, by proclaiming themselves to be an "oppressed minority". That is, after all, the ultimate trump card. But it will be a major boom for plumbers and their assistants, construction too. Think about all the rest areas in ND that will have to be changed. Oh wait, there aren't even ten of them. But what about all other public buildings? "

Point to Ponder wrote on Jun 10, 2008 4:14 PM:

" "Old people dare not relieve themselves on a public highway, but anyone can walk right into the highway rest area rest room."

If Obama wins, old people will never again be allowed to relieve themselves on the road. Vote McCain, Vote for Freedom...Vote, to pee on the road. "

Point to Ponder wrote on Jun 10, 2008 2:37 PM:

" I wonder if Mr. Scherer also build a a huge bird's nest on the toilet seat in case it's infected with "cooties?" "

Deb wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:46 AM:

" Yeah, here's the deal Me. Scherer: you're assuming that you would be able to tell if a trasgendered/sexual man or woman were entering a restroom with you on guard. And even if you coul d- you're assuming that that person would force their way into the restroom despite your insistance that they not. Clearly - you think that all transsexual and -gendered people have a tendency toward crime. Which, again, points the finger back at you - and further cements the reason needed for an anti-discrimination law.

Thank goodness we're headed in the right way! Way to go Colorado!! "

NYxND wrote on Jun 10, 2008 11:41 AM:

" Seriously?

First I love how Mr. Sherer puts b-sexual, cross-dresser and homosexual in the same catagory as predator.

Mr. Sherer, his wife and their daughter have most likely been in a restroom with at least one if not all of the "types" he refers to with disgust on several occasions. They were probably not even been aware. If what he imagines could happen with his scenario is how he views the world, then the person I would be most nervous sharing a public restroom with would be Mr. Sherer. "

Emily wrote on Jun 10, 2008 10:48 AM:

" This is quite literally the most ridiculous thing I have read in a long time. Anti-bias laws have nothing to do with restroom usage...seriously, I cannot believe that an educated individual would take such a position. Absolutely absurd. "

My Opinion wrote on Jun 10, 2008 9:13 AM:

" The author needs to speak only for themselves. I for one am not offended by this law in any way. This law is the same as what was enacted in the South in the 60s to stop discrimination of blacks regarding public transporation, restrooms, restaurants, and daily life. It is unfortunate that after the changes wrought by the 50s 60s and 70s for rights for women and blacks, that today we have such narrowminded individuals as the author who cannot recognize that there still exists intense discrimination against individuals and groups. And, this isn't about Johnny going to the "potty" with Mommy, it's about a transgendered individual wishing to use the appropriate restroom for their transgendered sex. It doesn't open up the doors to criminals or sex offenders - it only allows an entire group of individuals the same rights as the rest of the population. Instead of showing your ignorance of what transgendered people are, Mr. Scherer, try doing some research and understanding the issue. "

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