Category Archives: Vanessa’s Transgender Experience

For millennia humanity has sought to explore the outer limits of what is known. Travelling across continents and oceans, through the sky and into space. Each new frontier brings with it a yearning to search for the boundary to the next. As each frontier has been pushed we’ve discovered new and strange civilizations living there. Our journey across land found an unfamiliar Asian peoples. Across the sea we discovered the native American Indian. And on completion of our voyage through space to land on the moon we found the strangest of all species: Hollywood set designers, cameramen and key grips.

As foreign travelers to the land of the feminine we are faced with similar frontiers and strange new experiences. Whether we journey as immigrants or for a short time as vacationers we can all savor the joys and confront the bastions of womanhood.

For those just beginning their discovery the world is surrounded with tantalizing and anxiety induced firsts. From the odd sizings at the clothing rack, the curious color and pattern combinations and the intimidating make up counter. Each barrier is crossed with determination and the fortitude of practice fueled by an inner calling within us. Walking in heels, putting on makeup, styling your hair – each comes with their own unique codes and customs.

Yet for all the frontiers we push into the feminine one stands alone in vexing even the most secure transgendered women. This fortress of femininity – adorned with warning signs to deter all would be intruders – is otherwise known as the Women’s Restroom. The frocked defender placed on the door seems to peer within our soul, testing our femininity.

The Final Frontier

Until quite recently the women’s bathroom was the one place I was unwilling to go. It wasn’t just the potential for an embarrassing outing in what could quickly become the most hostile place on earth. After hearing all the hooha about the ‘Bathroom Issue’ from conservative critics I was actually worried that it could be illegal. Of course, my intentions of being in such a place would only be honorable – at least as honorable as peeing can be – but I wasn’t quite convinced a judge would see it the same way.

As a quick disclaimer, I’m not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV. For more information on the legality of using the women’s restroom I encourage you to review this web page from the Transgender Law and Policy Center. They have information for some states, though right now it doesn’t seem to be a comprehensive list.

One valuable piece of information I discovered at Esprit is that – at least in Washington State – it is not illegal for a transgender women to use the women’s restroom. Though if the restroom is in a private business such as a restaurant, the owner has the right to tell you to find another place to relieve yourself. This discovery fortified my courage, and the frustration at limiting excursions to a few hours finally convinced me…

To boldy go where few transgender women have gone before…

And then write about these interesting and terrifying experiences in the women’s restroom – stay tuned for all the details in an upcoming post.

Have you been in the women’s restroom? In a fit of terrible imagery I must ask… do you have any juicy bathroom stories to share?

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P.S. If you’re looking for more bathroom reading, I’ve shared some of my thoughts before about transgender bathrooms and the innovative but still somewhat controversial solution in Thailand schools.

P.P.S. Sometimes the written word can be a poor medium with which to express humor. In case you’re wondering I don’t think the moon landing was faked – Hollywood would have done a much better job with the production quality, not to mention character development.