Sometimes I Agree with the People Boycotting Target

Target recently did a thing, in case you hadn't heard. Basically, they set a policy that says to use the restroom that makes the most sense to you based on who you are as a person. Which, really they didn't have to say anything because the last time I checked, that's what people have been doing for years. I mean, I don't ever remember having someone inspect what's happening below my belt before letting me into a restroom, so basically nothing changed in practice. They publicly took a stance, is all.

Good for them.

If any companies ever go and take a stance on the other side of the issue, it will be interesting (scary?) to see how that plays out. I mean, won't they have to post a job opening for Genitalia Inspector? I can't think of any other way to be certain that someone falls into a particular category than to physically check them at the door. If they do post that job, we should probably keep an eye on who applies. It could be very telling.

Obviously, I fall firmly into the camp of not caring who is in the stall next to me. The extent of my caring is that I think it would be swell if we could ban those people who use the paper seat covers and then leave them for the next person to try and dispose of because those people are THE WORST. I'd also like to banish anyone who doesn't flush and anyone who hovers then leaves a mess. Can there be a clean and respectful people bathroom? Because that would be ideal.

ANYWAY.

I've been paying attention to the people who are in an angry tizzy because of Target's new policy. They seem to fall into two camps. First there are the people who don't understand what it means to be transgender. They use words like "gross" or "sick" or "mentally ill" and to those people I say STAAAAHP. You need to listen to Dwight. He knew how you should handle this situation.

The other people, though. The other people who aren't rallying against otherness, but rather are saying things about safety, YES. YES. I AGREE WITH YOU. It is a terrible world that we live in where women have to worry about sexual assault all of the time. It's a true fact.

But.

The restroom at Target isn't the place where we need to worry about sexual assault. To think that a man who wanted to rape someone would decide that the best way to make that happen would be to dress as a woman, walk past security cameras that are capturing his every move, and then go into a public restroom where there were likely to be an assortment of women, well, that just doesn't make any sense.

There's the parking lot where he could sit in his car and wait for the someone he wants to rape and who appears vulnerable.

There's the bar where he could find the "right" person and then buy her a bunch of drinks.

There's the dark alley where he can strategiclly plan his moves.

There's the bus where he can find someone and then follow her to her apartment and force his way inside.

There's an entire wide world where women have to worry about what might happen.

We should do something about that. I don't know what we have to boycott or what legislation we need to pass, but THAT. We should do something that makes it harder to rape women and that makes the punishment for doing so significantly harsher.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go give Target more of my money.

Comments

[Jenna]

There's the party where the guy invites the girl under the guise of watching movies.

[Jonathan]

When I read your headline I thought, "Uh-oh" because I had just spent some loot at Target earlier this evening. Glad I was on the right side. As you said, they didn't have to make this pronouncement. I'm glad they did.

[Rachel]

And this is why I love you, reason #975