On Monday morning, a group of about 15 people called for Gainesville’s mayor and city commissioner to take a stand against a proposed bill that would affect the transgender community.
At City Hall, the groups Trans Community and Allies of Gainesville held a press conference to ask Mayor Ed Braddy and the commission to oppose House Bill 583, which would force transgender individuals to use public bathrooms, dressing rooms, fitting rooms and showers based on their legal sex or be punished with jail time and a fine.
Signs that read “We just need 2 pee” and “Flush HB 583” were held by supporters.
Harmony Cole, a 25-year-old transgender woman who lead the rally, said the bill discriminates against transgender people. She said transgender people are more susceptible to harassment in private areas such as bathrooms.
Cole said she has experienced difficulties going in bathrooms of her assigned sex.
“I feel there’s great discomfort by crouching over and hiding my breasts,” she said.
Zot Lynn Szurgot, a transgender woman, said the bill is cruel and inhumane.
“To be singled out and isolated is hard on transgender folks,” she said.
The group said they have called Braddy about seven times and left five voicemails trying to set up appointments to discuss the issue.
If the bill is approved, violators could face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Cole said she wasn’t able to talk with the mayor or city commissioners, but she was able to make an appointment with Braddy and with City Manager Russ Blackburn.
She said she plans to ask the mayor to put the issue on the agenda for the commission’s meeting April 16.
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 4/7/2015 under the headline “GNV groups gather to protest trans bathroom bill”]
From left: Ellen Allen, 68, Shirley Roseman, 25, and Krys Davis, 28, hold signs outside of city hall on Monday morning protesting HB 583, which would require that single-sex public bathrooms only be used by persons of the biological sex the facility is intended for. "Everyone deserves to live their lives in a positive, equal way," Allen said.
