Jude 2

by ERIC STIRGUS
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/09/08

In the battle of the sexes, women's magazine editor Cynthia Good said this was a skirmish she had to fight.

Across Atlanta they stood, orange signs with black letters that read "Men At Work" or "Men Working Ahead."

Sometimes, the signs stood next to women working alongside the men.

Good demanded Atlanta officials remove the signs and last week, Atlanta Public Works Commissioner Joe Basista agreed.

Score one for gender equality, Good said Wednesday.

"They get it," Good said about the city in a telephone interview.

Public Works officials are replacing 50 "Men Working" with signs that say "Workers Ahead." It will cost $22 to cover over some of the old signs and $144 to buy new signs, said Public Works spokeswoman Valerie Bell-Smith said.

Good, founding editor of Atlanta-based PINK Magazine, a publication that focuses on professional women, said she's not stopping with Atlanta.

"We're calling on the rest of the nation to follow suit and make a statement that we will not accept these subtle forms of discrimination," said Good, 48.

Good pressed the issue after Atlanta police came to her office last month on a complaint that she spray painted "wo" onto a "Men At Work" sign.

Did she do it? Good replied by complaining about the signs.

Good fired off letters complaining about the signs to Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Gov. Sonny Perdue.

State transportation officials said they will ask contractors to remove signs specifying just men are working at a construction site.

Atlanta union leader Gina Pagnotta said some women employees of Atlanta Public Works complained about these signs years ago.

"It is a little bit bias to say 'Men Working,' " said Pagnotta, president of the Professional Association of City Employees. "Women are working, too."

Pastor Bill wrote:Yeah, I've seen many women, especially holding signs for slow/stop to direct traffic. (that's the main people you notice since they are directing traffic). I can understand phasing out the old signs as new ones are made, and old ones retired, but otherwise it's rather a waste of money. Here in KY they have gotten cute with those signs and most of them say things like "Be careful my Daddy is working" with a cartoon of a child, some also say "Mommy" and I think there is a variety. I think the intent is to get people to read them because no one really pays that much attention, they just see a construction sign and know somethings going on. Which makes the money spent in Atlanta even more of a waste.

DaJudge wrote:If they are out there, they must be sitting in the truck. Never seen one on the jackhammer or on the front end loader.

DeWayneTN wrote:I despise this kind of PC stuff not so much about this particular sign but what it will inevitably lead to. Can you imagine how that crowd will target restroom and locker room designations (and some have already)?

She also cited an informational document published by the Gay-Straight Alliance Network and the Transgender Law Center that already is lobbying for special treatment in the school system.

"If you want to use a restroom that matches your gender identity … you should be allowed to do so," it advises. "Whenever students are divided up into boys and girls, you should be allowed to join the group or participate in the program that matches your gender identity as much as possible."

DaJudge wrote:I guess the 80's rock band that sang, "Down Under" will have to retroactively change their name to "People of Mixed Genders at Work"

DaJudge wrote:

DeWayneTN wrote:I despise this kind of PC stuff not so much about this particular sign but what it will inevitably lead to. Can you imagine how that crowd will target restroom and locker room designations (and some have already)?

It has already happened

She also cited an informational document published by the Gay-Straight Alliance Network and the Transgender Law Center that already is lobbying for special treatment in the school system.

"If you want to use a restroom that matches your gender identity … you should be allowed to do so," it advises. "Whenever students are divided up into boys and girls, you should be allowed to join the group or participate in the program that matches your gender identity as much as possible."

Pastor Bill wrote:If they rule that adolescent boys who identify themselves as gay can use the girls restrooms, locker rooms, showers... we're going to see a rise in the number of "gay" adolescent boys.

Pastor Bill wrote:

DaJudge wrote:

DeWayneTN wrote:I despise this kind of PC stuff not so much about this particular sign but what it will inevitably lead to. Can you imagine how that crowd will target restroom and locker room designations (and some have already)?

It has already happened

She also cited an informational document published by the Gay-Straight Alliance Network and the Transgender Law Center that already is lobbying for special treatment in the school system.

"If you want to use a restroom that matches your gender identity … you should be allowed to do so," it advises. "Whenever students are divided up into boys and girls, you should be allowed to join the group or participate in the program that matches your gender identity as much as possible."

If they rule that adolescent boys who identify themselves as gay can use the girls restrooms, locker rooms, showers... we're going to see a rise in the number of "gay" adolescent boys.