Local transgender woman weighs in on bathroom debate

more screams..” and i’m rick cabrera. as the race for the white house intensifies … the republican candidates are buzzing about transgender americans. texas senator ted cruz is criticizing donald trump for opposing north carolina’s new bathroom law, saying his rival is giving in to “politica correctness.” earlier today trump said he’s against the state’s new law which mandates transgender people use public bathrooms that match their birth gender. trump says they should be able to use whichever bathroom they choose. senator cruz called it “basic common sense.” adding — “grown adult men, strangers, should not be alone in a bathroom with little girls.” new mexico gov. susana martinez is canceling plans to travel to a state republican convention in north carolina. a spokesman for martinez says it’s because of a scheduling conflict .. and did not address whether the controversial new law played a role in her decision. target is making a stand on the debate around what type of bathrooms transgenders can use… saying they’re free to use whichever one they’d like. the statement comes as a national debate on the topic heats up. abc-7’s stephanie guadian talked to a local transgender woman-… tonight she shows us how opinions differ here in the borderland. she’s live in our studio. the transgender woman we spoke today says choosing a bathroom is easy— but for many– the issue of is far more compicated. track: in 1986— el paso high school student ricardo delfin made a decision that would help define his life. at the age of 16, he began transitioning into claudia– and began using the girl’s restroom. sot: “claudia delfin/transgender ” i wa starting to look more feminine. starting to let my hair grow. put it back in a ponytail and wear a little bit more makeup. ” it was durin this time– claudia says she began to feel unsafe using the boy’s restroom at school— claudia delfin/transgender “guy would hit on me. some guys would just look at me and stare at me. or some guys would make derogatory comments. so i felt very ackward. !” claudia says she hasn’t used a men’s restroom in 30 years— and fears legislation that would make her do just that. it’s fear and feeling awkward that stops daniela gutierrez from accepting transgender women using female restrooms. sot daniela gutierrez “i mean, don’t know– i think it’s kind of unsafe to be with a man in such a private area you know. so yeah, i think it’s both.!” fo brianna estrada– acceptance depends on how far along a transgender person is in their transformation. brianna estrada ” feel there is a differnce though. there are some people who haven’t really had that surgery done yet– that’s different. but if everything is done, they have the right to go where they feel the most comfortable. !” claudia delfin: “i respec everybody’s opinions.. but to me.. it would really affect my life as a transgender. ” right now on the k- v-i-a abc-seven facebook page… we’re asking if you agree with target. “shoul transgender employees and customers use the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity?” share your opinion with us … and we may “see you on the c-w”– tonig on abc-seven at nine with bob harp and nichole gomez. estella–