HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-09-17 Public Comment - K. Mistretta - I-183 Bathroom BillKaty Mistretta
439 N Black Ave
Bozeman, MT 59715
October 9, 2017
Dear Bozeman City Commission Members:
My name is Katy Mistretta and I am a family nurse practitioner at a local family practice here in
Bozeman. I specialize in transgender health care and am urging you join the ACLU lawsuit in
opposing I-183.
I-183 clearly disregards the Montana Constitution and therefore should not be allowed on the
upcoming ballot. In section 4 of Montana’s Declaration of Rights, it states, “No person shall be
denied the equal protection of the laws. Neither the state nor any person, firm, corporation, or
institution shall discriminate against any person in the exercise of his civil or political rights on
account of race, color, sex, culture, social origin or condition, or political or religious ideas.”
Furthermore, section 3 states that “all persons are born free and have certain inalienable
rights” which include “seeking their safety, health and happiness in all lawful ways.”
Those in support of I-183 continually claim that allowing transgender people to use the
bathroom associated with their identified gender will lead to increased violence against women
and children. There is simply no evidence that supports these preposterous claims. In fact, the
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, which is the largest sexual assault organization in the
country, states that “laws that give transgender people the right to use the correct restroom do
not put women and children at additional risk of assault.”
As a medical provider, I rely heavily on statistics and research-based evidence, and the evidence
available in regard to our transgender population is that they are disproportionately affected by
hate violence, harassment, housing inequities, unemployment and medical care. Additionally,
the rate of suicide in the transgender population is an astonishing 41%, compared to 1.6% of
our cisgender population. Forcing someone to use the bathroom in accordance to their biologic
sex, as opposed to their gender identity, is a form of discrimination and will only further
stigmatize our transgender population.
Not only does I-183 oppose the Montana Constitution, but it also opposes evidence. I am
hopeful that Bozeman will look at the facts, put personal bias aside, and vote in favor of our
constitution.
Sincerely,
Katy Mistretta