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Transgender Individual Challenges Bathroom Ban Amid Legal Troubles
A transgender registered sex offender from Virginia, currently facing multiple charges for indecent exposure, argued that prohibiting access to women’s restrooms infringes on his civil rights. The individual, identified as Richard Cox, expressed this sentiment during a police confrontation outside the Oakmont Recreation Center in Fairfax County.
The confrontation occurred on November 16, just one day after officials unveiled plans to restrict Cox’s access to county recreational facilities upon discovering his extensive criminal history. Video footage obtained by ABC7 News captured Cox’s remarks, highlighting his perspective on civil liberties.
Cox’s Perspective on Civil Rights
In the body cam footage, which was publicly released on February 16, Cox asserted that the utilization of his name on the sex offender registry constitutes a criminal misuse of the law. He drew parallels between his situation and historical discrimination faced by Black individuals.
“They don’t agree with you exercising your civil rights, so they try and make a criminal action out of it,” Cox claimed during the exchange. He elaborated, stating, “Back when they didn’t want Black people in certain places, if they called the police and said, ‘hey we have asked this person to leave,’ you guys realize that was because he was Black.”
Claims of Misuse of the Registry
While most court documents identify Cox as male, he insists on being recognized as a transgender woman. He believes his identification allows him entry to women’s washrooms. According to Cox, his history should not overshadow his rights as a transgender individual.
