Vice principal tosses beer on diners as wife argues over transgender woman in restroom

[left-of-center2012]

A vice principal at a Monmouth County school is under investigation after a social media post shows him angrily throwing a cup of beer at restaurant patrons in Atlantic County this past weekend. The drink toss by Michael Smurro occurred after his wife argued with patrons over an apparent transgender woman using the women’s bathroom with her at the restaurant, Fred & Ethel’s Lantern Light and Tavern in Smithville, Galloway Township, on Saturday.

A witness to the confrontation who recorded parts of it said the woman, Lisa Smurro, made repeated insensitive and transphobic remarks, and that Smurro made them loudly within earshot of three outdoor dining tables at the restaurant – including a party of five with a young child. “It was just disgusting,” said the witness, Carrie.

Carrie said Smurro kept complaining about a transgender woman using the bathroom while she was also in the facility, and would not let it go, repeating, “She’s a man! A man just went in the women’s bathroom and it’s just not right,” Lisa Smurro says in one of three videos Carrie posted. According to New Jersey law, people cannot be discriminated against based on gender identity. Under the law, people are permitted to use restrooms in public places that correspond to their gender identity.

A waitress then asks Smurro to leave, and goes to get a manager. Michael Smurro was further away.
Then, Michael Smurro walked back to the tables and tosses the open cup of beer, which sprayed on Carrie, her boyfriend and the table with the child.

“We did nothing wrong, other than spill a little bit of beer” Lisa Smurro said.

https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2021/04/vice-principal-tosses-beer-on-diners-as-wife-argues-over-transgender-woman-in-restroom-at-nj-restaurant.html

[Claire Oh Nette]

1. "We did nothing wrong, other than spill a little bit of beer"

1. made repeated, loud, insensitive and transphobic remarks
2. made a scene and disturbed three other tables of diners
3. Modeled bigotry, immaturity, boorishness to children
4. Deathnamed, (don't know right word, but denied that person their basic dignity and privacy)
5. Had to be asked to leave
6. Angrily threw liquids at people DURING A PANDEMIC


"Spill a little beer" is some euphemism, eh?

[orwell]

2. The greatest threats to humanity...

...Mr. Potato Head
...Dr. Seuss
...Transgender bathroom etiquette
..."Cancel Culture"
...Defunding police
...Illegal black and brown people voting
...Taxing the rich and multi-national corporations

Welcome to the alternative universe of Rupert Murdoch!

...I forgot to add...the COVID/Mask conspiracy hoax!!!!

[leftieNanner]

6. You Forgot

The nefarious "chips" being installed in our bodies via the vaccines.

And the pizza parlor with a basement that doesn't have a basement.

[SoCalNative]

3. Would he have preferred

that a transgender man used the restroom with her?

[yagotme]

4. Simplest thing, SIMPLEST THING...

might cost a little more, but make all bathrooms "family type". That way, there's no argument about who uses what bathroom. Solid, locking stalls, or single person room. Gas stations have been doing this for a while now, using M/F sign on door. Pick one, go in, lock the door. Ignore the unnecessary plumbing that might be hanging on the wall that you're not planning on using anyway. C'mon, man...

[LisaL]

5. And who is supposed to pay for all the bathrooms to be remodeled?

It's not cheap.

[yagotme]

10. Some bathrooms may take extensive remodeling...

the larger ones, the more likely large changes to be made. Smaller ones, less/little major work. Like gas station reference, change the sign on the door, put a good lock on it. Some bathrooms are due for an overhaul, anyway. And, it's probably cheaper than the restaurant footing the bill for a lawsuit, because, the person with the deepest pockets/best insurance are the ones that get sued.

[ZonkerHarris]

11. they all have toilets.

[obamanut2012]

23. Many other countries do it just fine

[Hekate]

30. See my post #28. The ADA has required accessible restrooms for decades, & in most places...

...this requirement is handled with the addition of one (1) unisex room in addition to the usual stalls. They are available to anyone who needs to use them — they are not like parking spaces, which are dedicated spaces (and which also cause resentment), though it certainly is good manners to yield your place in line for the restroom to someone who is handicapped if you are not.

So, since the ADA has mandated accessibility already for decades, we are hardly talking about an outlay of a whole new scheme, just the application of some imagination and kindness.

[OAITW r.2.0]

12. Kinda seems like a non-issue that rightwingers like to use for trolling / faux outrage.

A transgender, identifying as male is going to use a stall. A transgender identifying female is going to use a stall as most female public restrooms don't have urinals. So where is the problem?

[yagotme]

14. I can definitely see the faux outrage.

But, in her defense, I've been in some stalls that gapped so bad, may as well not even have a door...

[hunter]

16. Seems the simplest thing is for people to be kind to one another...

... maybe even imagine what it must be like to walk a mile in another's shoes.

[yagotme]

34. Well, with some people,

you're never going to see that. Seems like they just don't have it in them to think of others. Just spitballing to come up with solutions to problems that shouldn't even BE problems.

[LisaL]

7. From reading the story, it would appear she was complaining

about the transgender woman in the bathroom loudly enough for other diners to hear. People who had nothing to do with the situation were subjected to hearing her rant.

[Treefrog]

8. I hope they're identified because that man should have nothing to do with children in schools.

What an awful example he must set.

[LisaL]

9. Considering they are listed in the article by name, their identities are known.

NT

[left-of-center2012]

18. Did you read the OP ?

Michael Smurro ... Lisa Smurro

[Martin68]

13. Unhinged Trumpians.

[Vinca]

15. How did the wife know if another woman is transgender or not? The stalls have doors

and unless the wife is conducting physical examinations on restroom patrons before they use the facilities, she would have no way of knowing anyway. This is what I find so foolish about the bathroom bills the GOP keeps introducing.

[obamanut2012]

21. I just said the same thing downthread

Butch cis women are already targeted in bathrooms by women, so the bathroom bills put them at extra risk, too, as evidenced by these jerks. Like you said, unless she said a penis and testicles, how does she even know the woman is trans. Not that it matters, but just to be factual.

[Dan]

32. What is a "cis" woman?

[obamanut2012]

37. Terrific entry on wikipedia you can Google and read

Educate you more than a sentence or two can.

[Dan]

38. I did and thanks much.

But I am sure glad that I am old, cause life is getting too confusing for me .

[WhiskeyGrinder]

22. She doesn't. But if it gives her a chance to be a bigot, she doesn't care.

[Deuce]

25. My first thought...

[blueinredohio]

17. I have used the mens bathroom before.

Granted there was no one in there besides me but when you gotta go.....

[bullwinkle428]

19. I'd better be hearing "former" or "unemployed" vice principal by the end of the day.

[obamanut2012]

20. Also, the woman in question could have been a cis woman

Many cis women are butch, and this was one huge concern when the "bathroom laws" started, that non-"feminine" woman would be targeted and attacked, because they already sometimes are.

And no, of course it doesn't matter if it was a trans woman, but I am betting it was a cis woman, which adds an extra layer of fuckedupness.

[lpbk2713]

24. Remarkable self control.

Not.

Find a different line of work Bub.

[dalton99a]

26. Michael Smurro is vice principal of Neptune Middle School in Neptune, NJ

https://ms.neptuneschools.org/

[obamanut2012]

27. Statement from Superintendent and the BoE

As most of you know, a video of a Neptune Township School District staff member engaging in an unfortunate and inappropriate interaction at a restaurant over the weekend has essentially “gone viral” and has been brought to our attention. This event is troubling as its perception potentially threatens the social-emotional well-being and climate of belonging that our Neptune School District community represents. Although we cannot comment on the details of confidential personnel matters, we can say the Board of Education and Administration are taking this matter seriously. In our district, we celebrate our diversity and the uniqueness of all of our school community members. The actions shown in the video do not reflect our district’s commitment to inclusivity, cooperation, respect, and non-violence. The Board of Education and Superintendent will respond to this incident in a manner that is appropriate and relative to the seriousness of the situation and that takes into consideration the impact this incident has had on the reputation of our wonderful district.

Dr. Tami R. Crader, Superintendent
Ms. Chanta L. Jackson, Board of Education President

[Hekate]

28. Aside from their bigotry problem, I wonder if the Smurros have an alcohol problem. Pretty unhinged

...public behavior.

The entire restroom “problem” is damned easy to fix. Under the ADA, there are requirements for wheelchair-accessible facilities that have been law for quite a few years. I can’t speak for the rest of the country, but nearly everywhere I go in California has at least one room that has a Man/Woman/Wheelchair sign on the door.

There may be other facilities as well, featuring a row of stalls for women and a row of urinals plus stalls for men. But if there is room for only one toilet on the premises, it is likely to be large enough for a wheelchair-user plus attendant, or a mom with toddler and stroller, or a traveller with a suitcase — and the door locks for privacy. And nobody gives a damn how you dress or what your gender may or may not be.

I will be overjoyed when this non-issue is solved for every public school, in particular, by installation of accessible stalls like these. That guy is a vice-principal? I shudder to think of the harm he is causing his students.

Meanwhile, I personally don’t care if someone who wants/needs to identify/dress as female wants to share one stall in a row of stalls in the women’s room when I’m there. If nothing else, I recognize the risk of personal danger they face if forced to half-undress in the men’s room — because, gentlemen, that’s what we have to do, every time.

[ChubbyStar]

29. Here is a picture of the drunken couple, love the restroom sign in the back.

I could be wrong but these two are in some big trouble...GOOD. Fucking assholes.

?resize=1200%2C801

[Liberal In Texas]

35. What's with the stupid hat?

[alphafemale]

40. Which one?

hey both have have stupid hats.

[ChubbyStar]

41. He is a stupid fellow and I guess he wants to make sure we know!

I read that he and the wife were at a Renaissance Fair I guess they couldn't find the Caveman Fair.

[alphafemale]

39. Same clothing as the video below

Same day probably

[riversedge]

31. The woman who threw a milkshake at Matt Gaetz got jail and probation time.............

Time will tell if the pair press charges against the Vice Principle.


..........
“We did nothing wrong, other than spill a little bit of beer” Lisa Smurro said.

[Demovictory9]

33. the beer toss

Link to tweet

[DSandra]

36. Fucking deplorables, these MAGATs should be kicked out of Jersey