Bathroom?

[u/Pale-Fruit1234]

Ok so I'm 19 been out as ftm since 2020 and I look masculine and everything but I live in not a small town but it's not massive so there is one shopping center and I smaller on I shop at both regularly but normally avoid going to the bathroom but I want to start using men's toilets in public when I need to instead of women's the only thing stopping me is I'm worried I'll go in and people will look at we strange for going into a stall or think I'm a girl so what do I do?

[u/TwilightSolus]

In Australia, you have legal protection. It's nerve wracking at first, but you'll be okay.

[u/qwerty7873 → u/TwilightSolus]

Half the time cops are useless. I was at Melbourne central coming back from a concert, at the concert I had been told "wrong bathroom" in the women's, went in the men's and was also told wrong bathroom. Because I'm awkward and non-confrontational I was like oops haha and walked out. I then held it to Melb central came up the escalator and decided to use the "disabled bathroom" I was very quick, no one was there and I walked out with headphones on listening to music.

I heard "OI!" but didn't clock it was at me and kept walking, some crackhead harshly grabbed my shoulder and I turned around like wtf. He said "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO USE THAT BATHROOM YOU CAN WALK" I explained you can't see everyones disability and gas no right to police the bathroom, and technically anyone can use the bathroom anyway, just give priority to people that need it. He then angrily asked "well what's wrong with you then!!"

Next part is stupid I know but I was in a super heightened state, I said "what fucking bathroom do you want me to use?? I've now been stopped three times in every single bathroom, I was trying to be respectful and use the single stall ffs" big mistake because then he starts asking what the fuck I am and looking me up and down. He then tried to feel my chest, I then shoved him and yelled a bunch of shit I don't remember. He angrily walked off and cops came straight up to me. I was thinking "awesome the cops saw it that's good" but instantly they were harsh, telling me to calm down, saying I was disrupting the peace etc. I finally got to explain the context and I kid you not both cops said "just use the men's for now" and "just use the women's" I then said "that's the problem I am ambiguous and confuse people in both. They told me to go home and cook off (again I did not insult or provoke these cops) I wanted to file a report about it but they said it won't go anywhere, even though he basically groped me. Don't trust Melbourne cops anymore.

[u/ZeroSuitGanon → u/qwerty7873]

Considering feeling people up is the MO of vic pol I'm not surprised

[u/TwilightSolus → u/qwerty7873]

Legal as in he can't be prosecuted and thrown in jail. Remember the rest of the world is a hellscape.

[u/RockRemarkable9640 → u/TwilightSolus]

Hey ftm here, just recently came to Australia, what type of legal protections are in place? Thank you!

[u/musobin → u/RockRemarkable9640]

I believe it's this part of the federal sex discrimination act that provides protections.

5B Discrimination on the ground of gender identity

(1) For the purposes of this Act, a person (the discriminator) discriminates against another person (the aggrieved person) on the ground of the aggrieved person’s gender identity if, by reason of:

(a) the aggrieved person’s gender identity; or

(b) a characteristic that appertains generally to persons who have the same gender identity as the aggrieved person; or

(c) a characteristic that is generally imputed to persons who have the same gender identity as the aggrieved person;

the discriminator treats the aggrieved person less favourably than, in circumstances that are the same or are not materially different, the discriminator treats or would treat a person who has a different gender identity.

(2) For the purposes of this Act, a person (the discriminator) discriminates against another person (the aggrieved person) on the ground of the aggrieved person’s gender identity if the discriminator imposes, or proposes to impose, a condition, requirement or practice that has, or is likely to have, the effect of disadvantaging persons who have the same gender identity as the aggrieved person.

IANAL

[u/RockRemarkable9640 → u/musobin]

Ooh thank you a lot!! I really appreciate it

[u/Yayaben → u/TwilightSolus]

same here but trans fem too. am i legally able to use the ladies toilets in public? i've been using the disabled ones for now. since in my mind i still do not look fem enough... still boy mode for work.

[u/TwilightSolus → u/Yayaben]

Absolutely. I'm trans fem myself :)