Photographer Meg Bitton has taken a stand against NC HB2 by sharing a picture of one of her models, transgender 14-year old Corey Maison.
She adds the question:
If the girl in the photo above was your daughter, would you feel comfortable sending her into a men’s bathroom?
Bitton had permission of Corey's parents to do this. It took a few edits to get her final post to Facebook:
If this was YOUR daughter, would you be comfortable sending her into a men's bathroom? Neither would I. Corey Maison is transgender. She was born with male anatomy but identifies as a female. Under the new laws, SHE would be forced to use the men's room. Therefore, I would not be comfortable sending HER into the men's room if she was my daughter. Be fair. Be kind. Be empathetic. Treat others how you would like to be treated.
Corey helped with her make up AND I edited the image FOR her, the way SHE would like it. Not for me and certainly not for any of you.
--Bitton
The post has gotten 54K likes, 30,837 shares and 12K comments.
After receiving many positive posts, but also a whole lot of trolling, Bitton posted
It is impossible to moderate this post, try as we may. I want to delete it as badly as I don't want to delete it. I decided to let Corey's mother make that call and she asked for it to stay to raise awareness so it will. PLEASE BE ASSURED that I do not in anyway support the trolling insanity I am seeing here and I VERY MUCH appreciate all the positivity around Corey as does she AND her family.
--Bitton
Corey asks as well:
I will be myself no matter how many people try and hold me back. I am strong, determined, and BRAVE. Try walking a day in my shoes then you can tell me you understand.
--Corey
Of course, then Corey will have no shoes, but at least you will be a mile away from her.
Standing up for yourself takes guts, standing up for others takes determination, and standing against overwhelming amounts of ignorance takes strength. Corey certainly seems to have all three, and some awesome parents.