Drawing the line on rights and freedom

I read Dyke Messinger’s letter in the Post to Gov. McCrory (“Bad for business, people,” March 29), and wasn’t sure whether to laugh or shake my head in disgust. After all, Messinger is the President and CEO of one of the better-known companies in Salisbury.

For well over 70 years, I have had no problem deciding which bathroom to use in public places, nor have I been concerned about flipping a coin to decide which one, such as in a movie theater, would prove the most adventuresome. If one has to take a leak, pee or urinate, or answer a higher calling of one’s nature, the most important consideration is whether a restroom is private. I have grandchildren, a couple of whom are still quite young, that I wouldn’t want to be occupying a stall next to someone with a male package, dressed in drag, as they say.

It’s true that transgender persons are confused psychologically as to whether they are male or female and choose to dress the opposite of their physical sex. But what about the dirty guy or gal looking for a cheap thrill, trying to get a free look at somebody else’s anatomy?

That might be acceptable for Mr. Messinger and his kids, but not for mine. My grandchildren’s mothers should feel safe when they take their little ones to the restroom. They should not expect to confront someone who appears to be something that he is not.

For whom do we draw the line on rights and freedom: the very smallest minority, LBGT, in our society, or the very large majority that cherishes privacy for themselves and their families during a most private act? If the CEOs that run companies that may stay away from N.C. towns (which I doubt) can’t see the difference, maybe they shouldn’t be CEOs.

— Bill Ward

Salisbury

God made man

I wonder if the people who are opposed to HB2 think it would be OK if the lady Tarheel basketball team had to play against a team featuring a 7-foot, 300-pound transsexual, or if lady U.S. Olympians had to compete against a 275-pound Russian shot-putter, or lady sprinters would have to run against transsexuals breaking the 10-second mark.

The Olympic officials take great pains to check hormones to make sure athletes are competing in the right sexual group. Do people call this discrimination?

People who think it is OK for female children to share restrooms and locker rooms with grown men are off in the head. If they think this is discriminating, then they should start with the NCAA or the Olympic committee.

Even if a man thinks like a woman, his body is stronger and not intended to compete as a woman. The same God that made men made women, too, but he made them different.

— Bruce Edwards

Kannapolis

Majority likes HB2

Seventy-three years ago I was born a woman with female genitalia. When I go into a public restroom, under no circumstances do I want to share it with a “woman” with male genitalia. No matter what, why or any other excuse. Woman means woman and male means male and that is defined by the type of genitalia that person possesses.

Dwayne Dvoracek (“Memo to NC voters: Laws like HB 2 have consequences,” March 29) and Dyke Messinger may feel comfortable doing their business with me in their restroom, but no matter how presidential or CEO they are, they are not welcome in mine.

I strongly support our legislators and Governor McCrory on HB2. I think there are a vast number of the silent majority that agree with me.

— Bobbi Jackson

Landis

Keep on, Mr. Yost

Kudos to Mark Wineka for the great article on April 1 (“Last of the Mohicans”) about Mr. Marvin Yost. He couldn’t have selected a finer or more deserving person to feature.

I grew up on East Fisher Street around the corner from the original fire station and can well relate to the air-powered sirens. At times, during the summer months, my dad would purchase watermelons from Ayash’s Store on East Innes Street and deliver them to our fine neighborhood firemen. Also, being a very curious child, I once got my hand and arm caught in my mother’s pedal sewing machine and had to call on one of these firemen for assistance.

I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Yost at Medical Breathing (one of his after-retirement jobs) some years ago. My purse was stolen by a potential customer and I was very upset as I lost all the money I had at the time along with other personal items. Along with the other staff, Marvin collected and presented me with the amount of money I had lost.

Marvin dearly loved his wife and family and never passed up a chance to tell you how much they meant to him.

Congratulations on being a healthy, vibrant 92, Mr. Yost! God bless you. Keep on keeping on.

— Margaret T. Shumate

Salisbury