COLUMN: From school to society, the intolerance transgender people face

Coy Mathis is six years old, and she just wants to use the bathroom at school. For a year and a half, it wasn't an issue. But in December, Coy's school informed her parents that she would no longer be permitted to use the girls' restroom. She would have to use the boys' room, the staff bathroom or the one in the nurse's office. Why? Because Coy was assigned male at birth. Coy is one of many transgender and gender-nonconforming children in the United States who face discrimination, harassment and bullying – from adults and kids alike – simply for existing. Coy's school didn't report any problems with her using the girls' room; they barred her from it nonetheless, singling her out for a special bathroom.