GAY LIFE

Bathrooms.
Can't we all just get along?
In Gay life, unisex bathrooms just seem so much more appropriate. I mean, I don't care what women look like and I'm sure they don't care about me. We're not after each other. However, I recognize that we live in a straight society and that men are mostly letches. Also, women deserve some time away from men-- to have their own safe space. But I want a get-outta-straight-male-world free card. Gay people should be able to use either bathroom. This is our next principled movement, people. This is our next fight for equality and freedom. Actually, this falls into the category of "special rights," but We deserve specialties now and then, don't We? I mean, especially with all the crap and discrimination and evils we have to put up with all the time. You know?

This evening I'm at a favorite coffee house of mine. I get up and go to the restroom area and head into the men's room. Now, unfortunately, the men's room has been taken over by some guy who looks like he will probably be in there for hours. Right next door is the empty women's room. I'm Gay. Why can't I use it? And I really, really have to use something soon.

So I knock on the door, open the door slowly, and then quickly step inside one of the two stalls. Everything's so pink in here! I'm Gay; I like pink; I fit perfectly; What could be wrong with this? Then all of the sudden a Mom and her young child come in. Great, of all the times for me to be in a women's restroom, a Mom has to walk in. I live in San Francisco-- why can't I have a lesbian walk in? Well, they go into the other stall and I'm hoping and praying they won't notice me. I try and hurry and finish up and then quickly, quickly, quickly rush out the door and enter the men's room to wash my hands as if nothing had happened.

See people, nothing terrible. No problems for anyone. I'm a man and I used the women's room. It's OK. The world didn't end. Gay people have known this is acceptable for years since all of our dance clubs pretty much have unisex bathrooms anyway. I mean, no sign with a woman's symbol is going to stop a Drag Queen from not making an entrance into said room. And then, Gay dance clubs are mostly male anyway, so the bathrooms both end up having long lines of guys outside.

So it's all fine. Everything is fine. Except that We should now push for unisex bathrooms throughout San Francisco and the nation. At least for Gay people. Cuz We deserve it. Cuz We're fabulous. And We're special. :-)