KTRK reports that a preoperative transgender woman in Houston was arrested last week for using the women’s restroom at the city’s main library.
The woman’s arrest appears to conflict with the city’s nondiscrimination policy, enacted by Mayor Annise Parker earlier this year, which permits people to use restrooms according to their gender identity, regardless of their biological sex.
Tyjnae Moore pleaded guilty to “knowingly entering a restroom of the opposite sex” and spent two nights in jail before being given credit for time served.
- Tyjnae Moore
Right-wingers have long used the restroom issue to fight discrimination protections for transgender people. So it’s hardly surprising that the Houston Area Pastors Council is seizing upon this incident, even though there’s no indication that the woman was acting inappropriately. From KRTK:
Earlier this year, Houston Mayor Annise Parker expanded an anti-discrimination executive order that allowed city employees to use restrooms based on their gender identity. But it’s unclear if that order conflicts with existing city statute. It’s one reason why the conservative Houston Area Pastor Council has asked the attorney general for an opinion.
“It’s the sort of legal and moral confusion we fully expected to take place and shows why it’s a bad public policy. It needs to be reversed because there is no legal standard of what gender identity means,” said Dave Welch of the Houston Area Pastor Council. …
The mayor’s office issued a statement Monday evening saying, “There appears to be a misunderstanding regarding applicability of my executive order and we need to clarify that. This is a matter of providing practical solutions in a diverse city. It is not about behavior. Where there is inappropriate behavior, there will be enforcement.”
UPDATE: The Houston-based Transgender Foundation of America issued the below statement late Monday. Also, Darrell Steidley, who is lead counsel in the Nikki Araguz case and a partner in Phyllis Frye’s law firm, debates the issue with Dave Welch of the Houston Area Pastors Council in the video below.
Houston, TX – November 22, 2010 – A young male-to-female transgender library patron named Tyjnae Moore was arrested and taken to jail on November 17 because she, in accordance with the Houston City Ordinance, used the female bathroom at the Jesse H. Jones Library in downtown Houston. A Houston Library security guard initiated the incident by informing an HPD officer that, “a man [sic] is in the restroom.” The arresting officer took the patron to jail for the alleged offense of violating a State of Texas law which states, “It is unlawful for any person to use a restroom of the opposite sex unless given permission…”
City of Houston Executive Order 1 – 8 and 1 – 20 ensures that all individuals regardless of race, gender identity, nationality or sexuality can have equal access to City restroom facilities. “The arrest should have never happened.” said Cristan Williams, Executive Director of the Transgender Foundation of America. “The City of Houston has given this victim explicit permission to use a restroom consistent with their gender. This means that the library patron was acting in a manner consistent with both state and local law. Since she broke no law, this is a case of unlawful arrest and imprisonment.”
The victim, a native of Minnesota, states that she will be leaving Texas as soon as she can. She states that this is the second time she has been harassed by Houston police.
Typical. I’m a friend of Houston’s only transgendered police officer and the department even treats her disrespectfully. If HPD treats their own that way, how else are they going to treat citizens and visitors of Houston????
She should have never been arrested. She is a transgendered woman and should be allowed to use the ladies room in peace! What is wrong with HPD?????
Old name displayed prominently underneath a photo of the victim? Couldn’t be bothered to find the name she actually goes by these days, or what?
ellysabeth
I think John was initially confused about the target gender of the victim. He initially had the headline and first sentence wrong, saying that she got arrested for entering the mens restroom. So I’m going to presume John thought at the time it was her preferred name.
Actually, she does say she was also arrested in the past for being in the men’s room, pointing out that transgender people just can’t win.
Actually the headline was a total mistake. I knew she went into the women’s room but for some reason typed it as men’s. I used the name because it was the only one available at the time of the initial post. I have now updated it. Thanks.
Thank you! I apologize for coming across a bit harshly, but news media is generally terrible about reporting anything involving transgender people, even when they’re clearly trying to do their best (and especially when they’re not trying particularly hard). The revision is completely appreciated. <3
Proof again of how retarded evangelicals are in trying to rationalize their bigotry under the false cloak of pseudo-morality. Going to the bathroom is a private act. There is no exposure to anything other than their own stupidity.
Dagmar, I dont want any MAN going into a bathroom when my wife is in there, are you telling me I have no right to feel this way? If you want to live as a women that is your business but I dont want you to be catered to publicly to the detriment of any woman. What you and Mayor and Anisse Parker propose is foolish, “retarted” and shortsighted. What will you do about a man who will use this law to fulfill his perverted fantasies? what will you do when a man dresses up like a woman just to get into the ladies room and abuses someone? What about a 250 lb man that dresses like a women and over powers someone. Now this can happen any time but you sure dont want to assist it. Dont blame evangelists for being sensible amidst a lack of commen sense, sin and peversion.
REALLY??? I can’t believe I am hearing this! To my knowledge, a truly trangendered person, who is under the care of licensed therapists by the WPATH Stanards of Care, have NEVER assaulted or abused anyone in restrooms, However, newpapers are FULL of “Christian” people that are arrested for doing exactly what you have been brainwashed to think that we do. These perverted “Christians” also publicly announce that they are adamantly opposed to transgender equality and use of restrooms. You want someone presenting as female to go into a male restroom…who is going to protect that person from assault from people like you? How is my being a transgendered woman a detriment to any other woman? When I go use the restroom (yes…that is what they are for…if women are looking through the cracks in the stall doors, THEY are the perverts), I use the restroom, wash my hands, and then check myself in the mirror. THE PERVERTS YOU ARE REFERRING TO (CHILD MOLESTERS, RAPISTS, AND SEX ABUSERS) ARE IN YOUR COMMUNITY…NOT THE LGBT COMMUNITY!!! GET A GRIP ON REALITY PAUL.
PRE-OP, means IT STILL HAS A PENIS. Stop calling it a woman. If it has a penis, it is NOT a woman. Would you like 7th grade biology again?? It makes not a damn what someone ‘identifies’ with. If you got man jaw, man forhead, YOU’RE NOT ALLOWED IN THE WOMEN’S ROOM!!! Truly, how the F are you supposed to verify if they’re causing a disturbance? Bust in on them and catch them masturbating? Or wait, hold still and listen for that ‘fap fap’ in the stall next to you? The mayor in houston is STUPID!!!
Paul N – define a MAN. Don’t you realize God has a sense of humor and he put transgender people on this planet to help educate you and teach you to become more like Christ in tolerance for others?
People like you keep arrest genetic women for entering a woman’s bathroom. There are well documented cases to support. What about a bearded man entering the women’s bathroom with your wife because the law says he has too? I would love to see the look on your face when 5 burly sweaty men enter the bathroom with your wife in your presence because those men we born women, genetic women but are now men.
James,
If she doesn’t have a penis, she can still be a man by genetics. See my previous post about God’s plan. So many women are discovered to be men by genetic testing, because X-rays and visual inspections by gynecologists are not able to tell the difference. You are talking from a lack of education. Please become educated.
I guess Jame’s reply shows the poor condition of the Texas Educational system under the Republicans, incomplete and full of half truths.
What is with everyone saying “she” when referring to this guy. Gender is not a choice. And why do they keep saying transgender woman? Even if you’re catering to his demented mind, transgender man would make a lot more sense. In the end though, I guess “it” would be more appropriate. What’s then stopping some guy from saying “oh, I think I’m a woman” so he can go in the womens room out of perversion?
Biological males have no place in women-only spaces. Being female isn’t something you choose. It is chosen for you by nature in the womb. Men who want to cross-dress should find single-patron restrooms (one person, locked door) to use and stay out of women’s shared and private spaces. We don’t want biological males in our locker rooms, showers, dressing rooms, bathrooms, etc. Stay out, please. Thank you.
I hope she sues the company that the security guard works for, and then moves to a state where they have anti discrimination policies that include equal rights for transsexuals, like mass, rhode island, california etc. She’s welcome to come to Rhode Island, I haven’t had any trouble whatsoever here.
To anyone who hates on a transsexual woman, or man… you are the ones who have to stand before god at the final judgement. Because we do not have a right to judge others… only god has that privilege.