To the editor: The article on the concerted, puerile and tacky therapy of Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.) introduced again recollections of my expertise in 1994 as the primary overtly homosexual or lesbian member elected to the California Meeting. (“Democrats rally behind first out transgender member of Congress, decry Republican assaults,” Nov. 23)
After I introduced a invoice to guard LGBTQ+ college students from harassment, violence and discrimination in California faculties, I used to be pilloried by my Republican “colleagues” because the spawn of the satan and an “unnatural” human being. These remarks have been delivered on the ground by members variously wearing man-size Boy Scout uniforms and lederhosen — I child you not.
Happily, as with McBride, I had the sturdy and heat assist of my Democratic colleagues, who would drift over to my seat throughout these tirades and place a hand on my shoulder. It was this assist and friendship that obtained me by way of these days.
Maybe, as embarrassing because it could be, a number of ladies members may simply determine to go to the U.S. Capitol toilet similtaneously McBride to make sure she is unassailed. I all the time discovered the reply to a loopy or hurtful rule is solely “no.”
Sheila Kuehl, Santa Monica
The author served as a California Meeting member, state senator and member of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.
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To the editor: Ladies who’ve been first by way of the door — into the boardroom, navy, workshop or different male-dominated office — know McBride’s discomfort. There’s a goal in your again since you are completely different.
It’s a problem to be the primary, and it’s an honor. We simply carry a heavier pack.
No historical past books will bear in mind Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who sarcastically was chosen to steer this toilet cost as a result of she is a girl. McBride shall be on the prime of her record eternally. Historical past will bear in mind her braveness.
Denise M. Hoppess, San Diego
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To the editor: Home Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said that “ladies deserve ladies’s-only areas.”
I ponder if he has ever been inside a ladies’s restroom. If he has, he would have observed there are personal cubicles in all of them and no open urinals.
In actual fact, in a number of newly constructed buildings I’ve been in (together with a synagogue), there are not any separate males’s and ladies’s restrooms. Quite, there are lengthy strains of personal cubicles for use by any gender and a shared row of sinks exterior.
I don’t learn about Johnson, however I don’t thoughts washing my palms subsequent to a person after having my “ladies’s-only” area in a cubicle. A minimum of I’d know he’s washing his palms.
Barbara Rosen, Fullerton
