This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Mother bears go after actual threats to their cubs. Conservatives, on the other hand, make up imaginary threats to justify legislating their bigotry.

When trans individuals are allowed to use the rest room that matches their gender identity, there is literally no increase in any crimes whatsoever. Seventeen states and more than 200 cities have these policies, some for decades, and not one has had any measurable increase in crime.

This army of perverts that conservatives claim will come out of the woodwork to "abuse" this simply does not exist. We know that for a fact. However, when trans individuals are forced to use the rest room of the gender they were assigned at birth, they are extremely likely to be the victim of a violent or sexual crime themselves.

If you truly don't want a man in the rest room with your daughter, then you would support letting trans individuals being able to use the rest room that matches their gender identity. Otherwise, bearded trans men will be forced to use the women's room and delicate trans girls will be forced into dangerous situations in the men's room.

There is a simple way for conservatives to stop being labeled bigots. All they need to do is stop trying to push bigoted policies based on easily debunked myths and prejudice.

Perry Fawcett

Magna