FW: Battle Over Transgender Librarian

[AJ Thomas <ajthomas@kings.edu>]

I would be interested in others' reactions to this. Personally, unless the
complainant has definite evidence of some sort of harassment, I wouldn't
think she really has much of a case, since women's restrooms tend to be
built to preserve privacy and modesty, and should she succeed with her suit,
it would raise questions as to what other sorts of people could be kept out
of facilities. And that would leave Ms. Davis without a very basic human
right.

A. J. Thomas
Assistant Circulation Supervisor
King's College Library
Wilkes-Barre, Penna.
ajthomas@kings.edu
its = possessive; it's = it is


-----Original Message-----
From: Margie Bryant [mailto:margieb@epix.net]
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 1999 9:16 AM
To: Statewide Pennsylvania Rights Coalition (SPARC)
Subject: Battle Over Transgender Librarian


RE:     Battle Over Transgender Librarian


August 24

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A legal battle is taking shape over whether a
school
librarian who was once named David but is now called Debra can use the
women's restroom.

Debra Davis, who had been employed in Minneapolis' public schools for
almost 28 years as David Nielson, has been working as a woman since
last
year at Southwest High.

She is considered transgender, which usually describes people who live
and
dress as the opposite sex but have not necessarily undergone a sex
change.
Davis has not said whether she has had surgery.

A teacher, Carla Cruzan, filed a complaint with the state in October
about
having to share the bathroom with Davis. ``I have a right to privacy
and
modesty which the school district must respect,'' Cruzan said.

The American Center for Law and Justice, founded in 1990 by religious
broadcaster Pat Robertson, sent a letter Monday on Cruzan's behalf to
the
state Human Rights Department. The Virginia Beach, Va.-based group
asked
that Cruzan get a prompt hearing and that Davis be banned from the
women's
restroom.

Davis said she is using the proper bathroom and has no plans to
change:
``It's too bad people are so unaccepting and intolerant.''

Minnesota is the only state that affords protection by law to those
who
identify themselves as transgender.

Human Rights Commissioner Janeen Rosas had no comment Tuesday.

Principal Robert McCauley said, ``To our best knowledge, we are
operating
within the law.''

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