MTA's gender bender

Helena Stone, a transgender woman who says the MTA's harassment has led her to relieving herself in a cup. (JRM)




by JOSHUA RHETT MILLER
(as seen in Metro)

MIDTOWN — A 70-year-old transgender telephone repairwoman who works for Verizon at Grand Central Terminal blasted Metropolitan Transportation Authority police officers yesterday for harassing her to such a degree that she fears using the public restroom.
Helena Stone, born Henry McGuiness, said since she began working at Grand Central in August, MTA officers have arrested her three times and called her the “ugliest woman in the world.” Now, afraid to leave her tiny office near the Metro-North tracks, she uses a cup to relieve herself.
“Not only pee, everything I do in a cup,” said Stone, adding that she fears for her safety when using male bathroom facilities.
Outside Grand Central yesterday, Stone and her attorney, Michael Silverman, detailed three incidents of alleged harassment that took place between September 2005 and January. In those incidents, Stone said, MTA officers demanded to see her identification, barged into her office and called her a “freak and a weirdo and the ugliest woman in the world,” and finally arrested her when she was walking into the women’s restroom.
The MTA released a statement yesterday saying they are conducting an investigation.
Stone and Silverman, of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund, did not rule out a lawsuit. A complaint has been filed with the New York City Commission on Human Rights, Silverman said.