Transgender woman upset by lawmaker's remarks

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A transgender woman said she was disturbed by a lawmaker’s response in an email.

Connie Berchem called an email she received from North Carolina Rep. Mark Brody, R-District 55, vicious.

“His words, I felt, were very demeaning,” Berchem said.

"I am saddened by the fact that North Carolina doesn't provide the help you need to readjust from the mental disorder you suffer with," Brody told the transgender woman.

“I feel that this individual is really misinformed, and wanted to see if I could speak out to rectify that,” Berchem said.

Berchem initially wrote to Brody and more than 100 other legislators to advocate for the repeal of House Bill 2.

"It appears that allowing you to use a bathroom, locker room or shower of your choice only reinforces the disorder not helps to correct it," Brody responded.

He added that as a compassionate legislator, he would be willing to work with Berchem to investigate legislation to help alleviate pain and suffering of those with the disorder.

Berchem wants to make constituents aware of Brody's response so they can make their voices heard.

“Too many of our representatives are representing their own personal views, and not the views of their constituency,” Berchem said.

Brody said that she did receive some positive reaction from legislators.

“I said what I had to say and I'll stick with it, and if the situation arises that I need to go further, I'll continue to answer questions honestly and fairly with dignity and respect, and that's the way that I do things,” Brody told Channel 9 Wednesday night.

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