A Creston restaurant has received backlash on Facebook this past week for new bathroom signage.
At JulioB次元官网网址檚 Lounge (also home to RomanoB次元官网网址檚 Runaway Lanes), the signs now indicate B次元官网网址渂alls at birthB次元官网网址� or B次元官网网址渘o balls at birthB次元官网网址� next to the traditional symbols for men and women.
A photo of the bathrooms was posted on several nation-wide social media pages asking for a boycott of the business.
B次元官网网址淛ulioB次元官网网址檚 Lounge doesn't want your business if you are a believer in human rights, safety of all, a trans person, or a lover and supporter of trans people,B次元官网网址� the post states.
B次元官网网址淚 know a few incredible trans locals who frequented Julio's regularly and praised and recommended it to many. You didn't even know they were trans and were very kind to us. It's pretty sad you decided to go to these lengths to make someone you don't understand feel hated, less than, and unsafe, but that's your prerogative!B次元官网网址�
Negative reviews have started pouring in on JulioB次元官网网址檚 Facebook and Google pages, some from people outside of Creston, calling out the B次元官网网址渢ransphobic atmosphereB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址渂igoted behaviour.B次元官网网址�
Owner Wade Romano has backed up his choice to display the signs through social media, despite the controversial debate it has sparked in the community.
The Advance contacted Romano for comment but has not yet received a response.
B次元官网网址淲hat I find offensive is men in womenB次元官网网址檚 bathrooms, men in girl sports, people being forced to agree with something that is offensive to them,B次元官网网址� he said in a Facebook comment. B次元官网网址淣obody cares.B次元官网网址�
He also posted a thank you to the customers who have remained loyal and shown their support.
B次元官网网址淭hat being said, thanks to all the hating people for boosting our business with your stupid comments,B次元官网网址� Romano said.
OUTspoken, CrestonB次元官网网址檚 S2LGBTQ+ community group, have found the public signs at JulioB次元官网网址檚 Lounge to be particularly disturbing.
B次元官网网址淚'm a 27-year-old non-binary trans person who was born in Creston and have lived here a lot of my life,B次元官网网址� said one member, who wishes to remain anonymous. B次元官网网址淲hen I saw the signage posted, I was horrified. I was in a panic, worried that youth would see this and feel the way I had in high school here, unsafe and unwelcome. We should be working towards drawing our community members together, not making exclusionary jokes and hateful remarks."
Shanel Samadhi, spokesperson for OUTspoken, said the actions of this business will continue to cause direct harm, threatening both the mental health and physical safety of transgender people in their community.
B次元官网网址淚t sends a clear and damaging message that some human beings are less deserving of respect and dignity than others,B次元官网网址� Samadhi told the Advance. B次元官网网址淭his rhetoric fuels hostility and emboldens those with discriminatory beliefs, giving them an invitation to openly express hate in increasingly dangerous and overt ways, forcing many people to live in constant fear.B次元官网网址�
As a community built on love, compassion, and unwavering support, OUTspoken wants Creston residents to reflect on how words and actions will shape the reputation and future of the town, especially when it comes to the impact on tourism.
B次元官网网址淏y standing together and raising our voices, let us remember that the louder our love, the smaller the hate,B次元官网网址� said Samadhi. B次元官网网址淟et us nurture the values of respect, safety, and inclusion for all, while supporting people and businesses that stand for love, not hate.B次元官网网址�
OUTspoken can be reached via Facebook messenger or outspoken-creston@hotmail.com.
B次元官网网址淔or those who are struggling or feeling unsafe, please know you are not alone,B次元官网网址� said Samadhi. B次元官网网址淵ou are welcome to reach out to us at any time.B次元官网网址�
For those in need of further support, contact Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 (available 24/7 for anyone in crisis), Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 (available 24/7, for trans people in distress), PFLAG CANADA: 1-888-530-6777 (peer to peer support).
Educational resources on how to better understand the transgender community can be found at www.weareallies.ca and www.transcarebc.ca/education-centre.
