Protest Against Carl's Jr.

"We Pay for Food- Not Attitude!"
Transgender and Homeless Rights Groups Protest Carl's Jr.

San Francisco- On October 18, about 100 people, members of various transgender, homeless, and youth activist groups as well as nearby onlookers protested in front of Carl's Jr. at UN Plaza. They were speaking out against increased harrasement by Carl's Jr. security guards towards homeless and transgender customers, in particular Michelle Jinich, a trans gender woman who was tossed out of the women's restroom and called dorogitory and homophobic names by the former security guard.

TransAction, a San Francisco transgender activist group, sent a letter to TWM Industries, the corporation that owns 24 Carl's Jr.'s and asked for a written apology, an update on their guidelines for bathroom policy to include equality to transgender and homeless customers, and sensitvity training for security gards and employees. To this date TWM has not responded to the letter and its demands stating that "it was an honest mistake- we really thought there was a man in our restroom."

Phoenix, one of the protestors there that day, put the situation into perspective. " Now if your some corporate type that goes in with a suit and tie, a lapttop and a briefcase, well of course there's no problem (in using their restroom). But if you don't happen to fit that little narrow critique, you're fucked!" Adam Arms from the Coalition on Homelessness says that he gets someone at least every 2 weeks complaining about the harrassment by Carl's Junior security.

The group was spirited and attentive to all the speakers, including Dione Manly from FTM International , "This is happening in San Francisco? Gimme a break! We need to come together and take action!" Well said. in a city that's supposed be a haven for every lifestyle other than straight, it's becoming more and more like "Father Knows Best" show. Because Michelle Jinich does not "pass" for a woman is not a reasion for her to be discriminated against. Why don't they ID every customer that comes in and see if they are the "correct" gender? Because that's discrimination, according to a city law that protects transgenders from assumption and discrimination based on sexual oriention or gender choice.

Well, it was eye-opening. As Delphine, one on the members of TransAction spoke about a homless man being arrested in front of Carl's Jr. for asking fopr cups, a customer who was listening to her speach lookeddown at his Carl's Jr. paper cup for a while. The he walked away. At least he could of emptied it out on their counter or something!

The boycott goes on. Until when who knows. Well, we're ready when they are!