New York City Councilman Daniel Dromm, who represents Queens, will introduce legislation, which was proposed by New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, that will require all public bathrooms to become gender neutral.
The first gender-neutral bathroom has opened in the White House after Obama's ban on gender discrimination. pic.twitter.com/Pe0W9pca9U
— Kiaira (@BlvckConscious) April 9, 2015
According to Stringer, the measure is an effort to make transgendered people feel safer.
“We must look to help trans-gender individuals who quite frankly, have fears,” Stringer said. “This is a very important issue. It’s time to help individuals who identify as transgender to use the bathroom without fear of consequence.”
Seen at the new @whitmanwalker building: gender-neutral bathroom signage. The way it should be! #1525WWH pic.twitter.com/Ohw01v42Ab
— kl (@flyingovertrout) May 28, 2015
Eoghann Renfroe, the manager of transgender education and advocacy at the Empire State Pride Agenda, said he’s experienced discrimination.
“Being transgender, it’s not about the bathrooms,” Renfroe said. “It’s that other people try to make it that way. This step is simply just a way to make things more equal for everybody, to stop transgender people on a basis that doesn’t really exist. I’ve been aware that it would not be safe for me to access the facilities appropriate for my gender. So having a space where a basic necessity of the body, where we can actually go and do that without fear of being assaulted, is pretty important.”
Gender neutral bathroom sign from Amazon's "Transparent" Pre-Emmy Party last night. http://t.co/yEal61Voqg #pics … pic.twitter.com/bXtTTkh6hc
— Reddit Subreddits (@subredditsbot) June 2, 2015
Businesses would have to replace signs.
“We’re not talking about constructing new bathrooms or spending any money, except basically purchasing a sign,” Stringer told the local CBS News affiliate. “Just putting a sign on an existing bathroom will go a long way to reducing discrimination.”
