Trans Woman Asks Houston: "Do You REALLY Want Me In The Same Restroom As Your Husband?"
A Chicago trans woman is offering fresh perspective on Houston's fight against equality with one simple Facebook photo.
Kelly Lauren, a transgender woman who's performed as a drag entertainer for the last 37 years, shared the photo below Wednesday with the caption, "Houston, do you REALLY want me in the same restroom as your husband or boyfriend?"
The message is a nod to those who opposed the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO) at the polls Tuesday. If approved, the ordinance would have protected Houstoners from being discriminated against based on their gender and sexual identities, as well as 13 other characteristics.
HERO was rejected by a wide margin, thanks in part to opponents who claimed it would expose children to sexual predators because it would allow men to use women's restrooms and vice versa.
Lauren, who performs every Wednesday night at club Hydrate, explained the photo is old but it was too good not to share in the context of HERO.
"I am 54 years old and have been performing for about 37 years as a drag entertainer," she told HuffPo. "I am transgender... The picture was taken several months ago but I reposted it when all of this nonsense happened... All I have to say is that I would get in way more trouble in the men's room than I could ever possibly in the women's restroom because I am THAT kind of girl! [laughs]"
