Foes of transgender protections Say Law Protects Predators

A blond girl heads from a playground into a women's restroom. A scruffy-looking man, lurking outside, darts in behind her. "Your City Commission made this legal," the words on the television screen read.

The advertisement came from opponents of a gender-identity provision added last year to Gainesville's antidiscrimination ordinance. The provision allows the city's roughly 100 transgender residents to use whichever restroom they choose.

Foes want to repeal the provision with a ballot measure on March 24. The issue has divided Gainesville, a generally gay-friendly university city in staunchly conservative north Florida.

Supporters of the transgender protections say opponents are using the dispute to unleash a broader attack on the rights of gay and transgender people in general.

The City Commission approved the restroom provision by a 4-to-3 vote a year ago. Opponents quickly began working for its repeal.

Organizations defending transgender rights are mustering their own campaign.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force says that 108 cities and counties nationwide have similar transgender protections.

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New York Times, United States