If that's what they choose to do, then their business will live or die by their decisions. I think they realize that. But it IS their business. If an employee doesn't like it, they have the right to work somewhere else. Their freedom is intact. If a customer is offended, they also have the right to shop someplace else. Their freedom is also intact.
In principle I agree with this, however, there are a variety of practicalities that get in the way of an ideal situation.
No. I only think that those people become a problem when they start trying to force others to believe that it's normal. If God says it's a sin, and we believe God, then how can we accept that it's normal? That's also where I have questions about those who call themselves "gay christians". It's an oxymoron.
I really have no comment on this. As a religious group, churches have a right to their positions and to exclude those they don't want.
From what I've seen of them, it's to flaunt what they do in private in the face of everyone else. If you know of another reason, I'd love to hear it.
You may want to read this.
I was talking about the reasons why pride parades exist. Not current usage of the parades. Not all of them, by the way, are the flaunting San Francisco style parades. Many are low key.
Pride Parades exist because the LGBT community was marginalized, abused and even murdered (in some cases, especially towards the trans community, this is still alarmingly common) just for being there. Being out is still dangerous in many areas of the US.
This may be true, but the example I gave about schools now allowing children to use opposite sex bathrooms and locker rooms is another example of how the rights of others are being violated. As a woman, how would you like it if men were suddenly allowed to use the women's bathroom while you're in there. Or if you were using a shower at the local gym, how would you feel if you were naked in the shower and then guys came in there with you? A straight male or female would be uncomfortable with this. Men's and Women's restrooms are separate for a reason, and until now I've never heard of anyone blurring the lines between the two. So the idea that my freedom (or in this case, privacy) is not being violated starts to not ring true anymore.
When I said that, I was referring to people who can claim that they are trans even if they aren't. All they have to do is make the claim, and suddenly a boy can now go into the girls' bathroom. Does this not violate the girls in there in any way at all? Should the majority of the girls in that restroom now be made to feel uncomfortable and violated because of that one boy? I think a much better solution could have been found. Remember, these are children we're talking about.
First of all, most trans people do not desire to show off their bodies, because it outs them and that is very dangerous still.
Second, the school rules require someone to identify as the gender opposite their birth sex. This is more than just saying "I feel like a girl". Consistent patterns of behavior and presentation are what the school needs to see, Those two things are still unacceptable to a lot of people. Most guys I went to high school with would never face the bullying involved with being "a guy in a dress". Not worth it to sneak into a bathroom.
Third, the most well known example used is the California rules for trans children, which include provisions to allow kids who are uncomfortable with the situation to request and receive alternate accommodations so that they won't be exposed to the "dangerous" trans child. LA County School District, FYI, notes that they have had these rules in place for 10 years without problems.
Fourth, before you mention it, there have been no reports of increased incidents of people abusing these laws to gain access to vulnerable women and children. Do such things happen? Yes. They have happened for many, many years and are not aided by these laws, with my evidence being police chiefs repeatedly stating that the laws in their areas are in place and have had no increase in incidents of people dressing as women to assault women and children.
Last, I'm going to encourage you again to do your research. The things you are showing as worrying about are not happening where these laws are in place. In my area, since 2011 these laws protect trans people like me. I have had no incidents personally. I have heard of no problems with people abusing these laws and I am very close to my local police department.
These laws exist to protect a very marginalized and abused minority with a very high suicide rate. The trans people are the ones truly vulnerable in these situations. If you think it creates awkward situations allowing trans people into the appropriate facilities, imagine how awkward it would be if you forced us into the wrong ones. People in dresses going into the men's room - people who are going to be placing themselves in danger just to pee. Trans men tend to pass as men or at least boys really fast and you would force them into those areas with women.
