Disabled-friendly toilets are not for LGBTs
THIS letter is in response to the recommendation by a deputy minister for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community to use disabledfriendly toilets.
This is a clear-cut case. Allowing LGBTs to invade such toilets is not the solution.
The deputy minister should be more sensitive and aware of the rights of disabled people, and the reason why they need such toilets.
This issue is grave. I am not comfortable with the presence of able-bodied LGBTs in our toilets.
Think of our safety when others can freely come and go into our toilets. For the disabled community, such toilets are the only place they can relieve themselves. LGBT is not a disability — it is a sexual orientation.
Disabled-friendly toilets are designed for those with physical disabilities, especially those in wheelchairs.
There’s a reason why such toilets are built. They are wider and more spacious.
There is a handlebar to help those in a wheelchair to get from the wheelchair to the toilet bowl.
The mirror and sink are placed lower to make it easier for the disabled to wash their hands.
Just imagine if such toilets are open to able-bodied people. How long would a disabled person have to wait before he can relieve himself? It is a violation of our rights.
If a LGBT can strut around in high heels, then there is no reason for him or her to use the disabled-friendly toilet because he or she is not physically disabled.
Even those whose hearing is impaired or are mute, and others with non-physical disability, do not use the disabled-friendly toilet.