My hometown, Gainesville, Fla., is generally fairly progressive. Recently, our city commission passed an ordinance that, among other things, prevents discriminating against people based on gender identity, including in public restrooms. I guess this had some family values folk trembling, because they launched a petition to change the ordinance.

Now they have enough signatures to bring the matter to a vote, but it was a nasty campaign. They ran an ad on tv that showed a little girl walking into a restroom. A "sketchy" guy follows. At the end it said something like "your city commission made this possible."

They protested for about a week on one street corner with signs that said "Keep men out of women's restrooms" and "keep our children safe" (meanwhile, their children were running all over the sidewalk within inches of passing cars).

I guess I just wanted to share because I'm disappointed in my community. I don't understand why they are so angry and afraid.

2

You recommended