Trans Woman Told not to use Ladies Washroom

February 02, 2010

A trans woman has spoken to the press after being denied the use of the lady’s washroom because she is neither a “man or woman.”
 

Katrina Harte, 46, is in the final stages of her transition, but has already taken to dressing as a woman.  Initially, the reception at the Briar Dene in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, where she has been a regular for two decades, was overwhelmingly supportive. That all changed four weeks ago when a member of the staff told Harte she could no longer use the women’s washroom. The reason: It’s against the law. She was told to use the disabled toilets instead.
 

“They told me it was against the law, but I have never heard of any such law,” Harte told the Sunday Sun. “I just felt sick and betrayed. It is hard enough for transsexuals to find pubs to drink in. We have got to be so careful where we go.
 

“We wouldn’t dare go in most pubs on a match day. But I had never had a problem at the Briar Dene.
 

 “I really want to keep drinking there. It’s a friendly pub and over the years I have put a lot of money in their tills.  I thought I had found somewhere I feel comfortable.”
 

“I haven’t been out for four weeks now,” she continued. “It’s really, really got me down.”
 

A Facebook group has been set up to support Harte.
 

“I have been overwhelmed by the support,” she said.
 

“I’m obviously not the only one affected by this.
 

“Coming out as a woman was the biggest decision of my life but I have never, ever regretted it. I had to make the move because it was starting to tear me up inside. But what they are doing to me is discrimination.”