In his column denouncing Maryland Citizens for Responsible Government, Baltimore Sun columnist Dan Rodricks dismissed our concerns about transgender people in ladies' bathrooms with the advice that we females use our restrooms to "Go in, do your business, and get out, no eye contact. Oh, and wash your hands." ("What's this obsession with transgender people and bathrooms?" Feb. 12.)
It's obvious Mr. Rodricks has no idea of what women do in bathrooms, and why should he? Women recognize each other. We change diapers, adjust our bra straps, apply makeup, yak with other women, and breast feed — all in the ladies' room.
We are vulnerable to crazy voyeurs, pedophile predators and rapists. Our privacy and protection is sacrosanct to us and therefore should be to society as well. Yet Mr. Rodricks seems surprised that women do not want any law that would open our protected areas, our bathrooms and locker rooms, to males.
Gender identity laws dismiss women's realistic concerns and enforce acceptance of transgender people. When women are not respected by society, they are more likely to lose rights.
Ruth Jacobs
The writer is president of Maryland Citizens for Responsible Government.