A typical Monday afternoon at the Tucker-Reid H. Cofer Library became both frustrating and scary for Sasha Swinson when a DeKalb County police officer allegedly approached her with a misgendered greeting: “Excuse me, sir.”
The DeKalb County Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit is actively investigating the incident involving an officer and Swinson, a trans woman and lifelong DeKalb County resident. Decaturish was the first to report on the Oct. 20 encounter.
“Because the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to share additional details at this time,” Elise Wells, DeKalb County Police public information officer, told Rough Draft Atlanta. “The department remains dedicated to treating all members of our community with dignity, respect, and professionalism.”
Swinson said the verbal altercation with the officer was “every transphobic trope” one could experience in 30 seconds. The incident has drawn attention on social media and is a matter that the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners is also watching closely.
In an interview with Rough Draft Atlanta, Swinson recalled a seemingly innocuous afternoon at the library, stopping by after visiting one of her favorite Tucker eateries, Bell Street Burritos. As she was leaving the women’s restroom, as she had done several times without incident over the years, she was cornered by a DeKalb County police officer, who has not been identified by the department.
“‘You’re going to have to use the men’s restroom or the family restroom,’” Swinson said the officer told her after she left the restroom. When she said she told the officer she used the correct restroom, his response further insulted her. “‘You’re not a woman. That’s obvious.’”
The entire conversation occurred with other library patrons nearby, Swinson said. A DeKalb County library official informed the police and the county commission about the altercation. Though Tucker and DeKalb County have a nondiscrimination ordinance, the ordinance “does not reference bathroom use specifically,” Quinn Hudson, DeKalb County Board of Commissioners spokesman, told Rough Draft Atlanta.
County officials are in support of the DeKalb County Police Department as they address what appears to be a “matter of training,” Hudson said. In practice, the county advises that “library patrons use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity.”
“DeKalb County strongly supports our LGBTQ+ community, and we embrace the right to express one’s sexual orientation and gender identity,” DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson said in a statement. “As a result of the incident, we are reviewing our educational curriculum and laws to ensure our LGBTQ+ community is protected and feels welcomed in DeKalb County.”
Swinson said she has appreciated the swift, compassionate response from the police department and the county. She said she has no plans to take legal action at this point.
“I don’t want this guy fired or anything, but I would just like for people to be educated on how to deal with the public, especially the LGBTQ community,” Swinson said. “I’m just hoping that good can come out of this.”
Swinson’s pastor Matthew D. O’Rear has supported her through the ordeal. He said the incident has “shaken” Swinson, but the community support speaks volumes. O’Rear, pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Buckhead, said he has tried to avoid the Facebook comments that have disparaged Swinson and often come up when transgender bathroom use enters the public conversation.
“There’s so much vitriol,” O’Rear told Rough Draft Atlanta. “The rise of Christian Nationalism puts people and party above the teachings of Jesus. It’s about going to the margins and that’s where Jesus is found. That’s where Sasha is.”