Experiences of a gender non-conforming lesbian in the “ladies’ (rest)room”

Public restrooms in U.S. culture are highly gendered, politicized, problematic spaces. Gender non-conforming lesbians may feel especially at risk for various forms of harassment or policing by other occupants in the “ladies’ (rest)room.” Using auto-ethnographic lived experiences as observations, this essay explores reactions of other women/female occupants in public restrooms designated for female persons to the presence of a gender non-conforming lesbian (the author). Reactions include no response, fear and flight or fight, screaming/shrieking, and active policing. Differences by location and region, and changes in responses over time, are also explored.