Let’s talk about bathrooms for a moment. I’m terrified of public bathrooms. I will limit food and drink when in public spaces because I have panic attacks if I use a public gender bathroom.

Here are a few reasons why I have such anxiety

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1. I have been traumatized as a child by adults when I used the bathroom.

2. In middle and high school, I was harassed by adults while trying to use the bathroom while at a sporting event.

3. Just overall, the glares and words form people when using the bathroom.

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4. In the last 5 years, people have physically kept me from entering a female bathroom

5. In the last couple of years, I’ve been spat on, pushed, physically attacked, and verbally attacked when trying to enter a female bathroom.

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6. I’ve also been called a predator when entering a female bathroom.

7. Just in the last month, I’ve had a manager of a coffee shop called to intervene because a patron would not believe me.

8. Don’t even get me started on just the daily comments and looks.

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So why does this matter? Well, I legit will change my life to limit bathroom use. I make lists of places that have gender neutral bathrooms just to avoid the trauma.

I have walked across campus to use a gender neutral bathroom.

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I have left restaurants and walked to a place next door to use their gender neutral bathroom.

I’ve left hangout with friends to go home....because I needed to use the bathroom.

It is exhausting. It is so exhausting having to think about this daily.

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So what can you do?

Well, believe me when I say I am in the right bathroom! I know who I am, where I’m supposed to be!!!

Just let me use the bathroom in peace. I don’t question you!!

If you do speak, comment on how you love my shoes or ask how my day is going.

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I promise you, I am in the right space. I’m just trying to use the bathroom like anyone else.

I am a gender nonconforming, non-binary human. I use she/her pronouns. I love soccer and school. I well talk about podcasts, books, sports.

I just ask that you respect me!

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