Separate Facilities Protect Women and Girls, States the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS)

TUCSON, Ariz., April 11, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to threatened boycotts of states with laws permitting sex-specific locker rooms and restrooms, AAPS released the following statement:

"Public locker rooms and restrooms exist for the utilitarian purpose of hygiene, not to affirm the self-identified gender of certain individuals. These facilities are traditionally restricted to persons of the same sex for sound reasons. Plumbing fixtures are suited to male or female anatomy. More importantly, the separation protects feminine modesty as well as shielding girls and women from offensive, criminal, or dangerous behavior by voyeurs, exhibitionists, and rapists.

"Indecent exposure is a crime in most jurisdictions, and it is an assault on public morals as well as common sense to permit it in facilities designated for girls or women.

"Certain individuals are uncomfortable in public facilities for a variety of reasons, including religious beliefs, disability, deformity, or discomfort with their body, as well as gender dysphoria. A reasonable accommodation is a private restroom.

"Recognition of one's sex by others, not self-identification, is the criterion for use of the men's or women's restroom or locker room. Exposure of male genitalia to view by others unconditionally disqualifies a person from use of a facility designated for women or girls, regardless of that person's perception of his/her 'gender.'

"Attempts by activist groups to force businesses or government facilities to harm, threaten, demean, or offend women and girls who do not want to share facilities with biological males are to be resisted and condemned as immoral, oppressive, irrational, and contrary to public order, human rights, public health, and our Founding principles."

The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) is a national organization representing physicians in all specialties, founded in 1943.

SOURCE Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS)

Related Links

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