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A judge recently ruled in favor of a transgender woman, agreeing that she could not have indecently exposed her penis in a YMCA female changing room due to her weight obscuring its visibility. Darren Glines, who now identifies as Rachel, faced three counts of indecent exposure at a YMCA in Xenia, Ohio. Judge David McNamee found Glines not guilty, accepting her argument that her belly’s size rendered her genitalia invisible to others.
Multiple complaints had been filed against Glines since 2021, with at least three individuals claiming to have seen a ‘naked male in the female locker room.’ One of these complaints mentioned that three juveniles were present during an incident, prompting a concerned woman to report the issue to the front desk. However, she was reassured by a YMCA worker that Glines was ‘actually a woman’ and that there should be no cause for alarm.
Judge McNamee stated that there was ‘little dispute as to the facts of the case,’ as Glines had been authorized by the YMCA’s Executive Director to use the women’s locker room. It was revealed that Jacqueline Brockman had permitted Glines to access the facilities at all Greater Dayton area YMCA locations. The case was legally filed against Darren Glines, but she now goes by the name Rachel and has not undergone gender reassignment surgery.
Darren Glines a trans woman who now goes by Rachel, was found not guilty of three counts of indecent exposure after exposing its penis in a YMCA female changing room. Judge McNamee cleared Glines off the charges after ruling that she was “too fat” for her genitals to be visible???? pic.twitter.com/u6v3X8ta8y
— Paula (@telling_news) May 7, 2023
McNamee acknowledged that Glines was indeed in the women’s locker room but emphasized that she was not charged with trespassing nor with being in an area where she should not have been. He concluded that there was simply insufficient evidence to support a guilty verdict, as Glines’ genitalia was not visible due to her body covering it.
Glines’ attorneys, Lauren and Keara Dever, both argued that their client’s weight effectively concealed her genitalia. Following her acquittal, they released a statement expressing disappointment that the charges were filed in the first place, negatively affecting Glines and the community. They added that they were grateful the truth had ultimately prevailed, allowing everyone to move forward peacefully.
A noteworthy episode during the case involved Xenia City Council President Williams Urshcel, who revealed that one of the women who filed a complaint was allegedly informed by a YMCA employee that Glines identifies as a woman, so she ‘shouldn’t be disturbed by this.’ The city council subsequently released a statement clarifying that Urshel’s comments were his own and that the charges against Glines were filed as a result of the Xenia Police Division’s investigation.
The statement added that neither the Xenia City Council nor any council member had participated in the decision to file public indecency charges related to the use of the YMCA’s locker rooms. The YMCA of Greater Dayton affirmed their commitment to complying with the law while ensuring privacy and safety for all members. They stated that they would not investigate an individual’s birth identity before assigning them to locker rooms, as doing so would be contrary to the law, disrespectful, and not in line with the organization’s values.
During the trial, a YMCA employee testified that she had sought a restraining order against Glines following an alleged assault. Kateisha Young stated that Glines had inappropriately grabbed her genitals after they had gone out for coffee. She further claimed that Glines began frequenting her workplace, seemingly aware of Young’s schedule.
Young expressed concern that she might have to find other employment once her protection order expires in 2024. The incident at the Xenia YMCA is just one of many that have occurred at YMCA facilities across the United States.
In another case, 80-year-old Julie Jaman faced a ban from her local YMCA pool after demanding a transgender employee leave the women’s locker room. Jaman, a regular at the Mountain View pool in Port Townsend, Washington, confronted the worker after hearing a male voice while showering in the changing room.
Jaman approached the employee, Clementine Adams, who identifies as a woman, and inquired if she had a penis. Upon receiving the response that it was ‘none of her business,’ Jaman asked Adams to leave the premises. Jaman reported the incident to the pool staff, who informed her that she was ‘discriminating’ and that the police would be contacted.
According to Jaman, YMCA aquatics manager Rowen DeLuna told her that she was ‘banned from the pool forever’ before calling law enforcement. An incident report described Jaman as having an ’emotional response’ and ‘screaming.’
These cases illustrate the complex nature of gender identity and the challenging situations that can arise in public spaces. The YMCA is working to balance the rights of transgender individuals, while also respecting the privacy and safety of all members.
Despite the controversial nature of these cases, it’s important to acknowledge that legal systems are in place to address disputes and ensure that individuals’ rights are upheld. The judicial process can be essential in establishing the truth and providing justice for all parties involved.
Moving forward, there will likely be continued public discourse on the issue of gender identity in shared spaces, as well as potential adjustments to existing laws and policies. By engaging in respectful and productive discussions, communities can work together to achieve fair and agreeable solutions that protect the rights of all citizens.