From: Tina
Date: Thu Nov 14 2002 - 10:31:32 CST
annie@annie.net wrote:
>Before we get so far removed time-wise from Pinkfest, let's take a minute
>to do any final summarizing and ruminating about our recent trip.
><snip>
>Any particular problems or concerns you had?
Dear Annie,
Part of PinkFest 2002 closure. I feel guilty of applying a double
standard. ....Sort of.
Most of the PinkFest girls don't know this, but I'm a major restroom
equality proponent over on the Diva Las Vegas list. When one of our DLV
girls has a problem with being denied ladies restroom access, I'm
usually right there on the ramparts advocating that we burn the
establishment at the stake and boycott them forever.
As I think I told you that Friday night in Chicago, a bartender at Baton
told me to use the ladies room (actually haphazardly marked as unisex
with both separate mens and womens signs) in the back hallway behind the
bar. He was a little forceful about intercepting me at the door to the
regular ladies room, but he did take pains to assure me that the
restroom he was directing me to was the one used by all the performers.
I've never considered Baton to be a gay place. Quite the contrary. It's
a straight place with female impersonators. Still, I was miffed because
I have used the regular ladies room in all 3 of my previous visits while
dressed without any problem. (I did use the mens room the one other
time I was there in boy mode). Of course, I have also used that back
bathroom on previous visits when the line was shorter.
And I was also miffed, because I can usually use the ladies room in lots
of straight places without causing a fuss. I usually get mad and leave
when I have such a problem at straight places, and react even more
strongly when it happens at gay places.
Baton has never asked for my business on a tg basis. So I feel a little
(very little) inclined to cut them a little more slack. And the guy
that I think is their owner has been friendly to me on previous visits
(didn't see him this year), as have their doormen and cashiers.
Finally, I just like Baton too much, and I know that I'll go again in
spite of this incident.
So, I feel guilty ...sort of. Especially considering how often I get
on the restroom soapbox.
I decided to go ahead and mention this, not to start up an endless loop
political discussion, but just to point out that restroom hangups can
happen even when you don't expect them. I haven't had a problem in
years and was just surprised by reality's little slap in the face.
Hugs,
-- Tina
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