Restroom debate

Straight truth

Thank you for the latest insightful columns by Chris Tomlinson, specifically “Business leaders are preparing to clash with bigots in Austin” (Page B1, Wednesday) and “Breitbart boycotts sound like KKK tactics” (Page A2, Thursday). In both columns your business columnist writes with authority, is well-informed and doesn’t mince words. In the first article he cuts through the bogus bathroom bill sponsored by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and calls for lawmakers in Austin to come up with real solutions for real problems. In the second column he reminds readers that Breitbart News is using KKK tactics to put pressure on companies that have discontinued advertising with Breitbart. These tactics were frightening back in the 1920s and are very disturbing now, almost a century later.

Your readers are very fortunate to have Tomlinson telling it like it is. We should heed his call to contact our state senators to address the real problems of the citizens of Texas and to “stand up for what’s right.”

Sandra Walsh, Houston

Clear thinking

Why does Chris Tomlinson assume those of us who support Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are narrow-minded and do not understand the situation at hand? By extension, all (practicing) Catholics are bigots, as Pope Francis? Really?

We “bigots” certainly understand that gender dysphoria exists and always has. We also know that you can either go along with the dysphoria or you can take the organic approach and counsel those affected back into the reality of their bodies.

Either way, they have the liberty to do either or neither.

I wish the Republicans in power would be consistent and apply the bill for both transgendered “men” and “women.” They also need to stop couching the issue as one of “women’s safety.” The real reason for support of Patrick’s bathroom bill stands beautifully on its own: thoughts don’t generate reality.

As for Tomlinson’s dire prediction of negative financial consequences for standing up for truth, I say, let’s take a stand; enough “progressive” silliness.

Diane Sulpizio, Houston

Enough already

Regarding “Bathroom politics” letters (Page A16, Friday), I’ve had it with the bathroom talk. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been at an event at the Hobby or Wortham centers, very classy places, when I admired a very beautiful transgender woman in the ladies bathroom.

These women always made me feel underdressed and less female alongside them. Not once did I feel physically threatened — stylistically threatened, perhaps, but not physically. I had no problem with them being in the stall next to mine. They deserved to be there every bit as much as I did. Get over this, people.

Joanna Friesen, Houston