Legislature approves bill banning gender-specific bathrooms

phil-tingIn what proponents labeled “the nation’s most inclusive restroom access law,” the California Legislature passed a bill on Monday requiring single-occupancy restrooms in businesses, government buildings and places of public accommodation to be open to all genders.

If signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, the ban on gender-specific bathrooms will begin on March 1, 2017, which would be a significant victory in the transgender movement. 

“Restricting access to single use restrooms defies reason,” said Assembly member Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, the bill’s sponsor. “It is a basic necessity of life and everyone should get in and out on the same terms.”

Earlier this year, North Carolina passed the opposite of this bill — a measure requiring people to use public restrooms that correspond to their birth gender. San Francisco, San Jose and Los Angeles are among the U.S. cities that have banned official travel to North Carolina in response to the law.


Tags assigned to this article:
Phil Tingbathroom equality

Related Articles

CalPERS boss: Losses on ‘cleantech’ bets are ‘noble’

March 23, 2013 By Chris Reed It’s not just President Barack Obama and Gov. Jerry Brown who have drank the

The Boxer Fiorina jab session

Katy Grimes: Was that a debate between democrat U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and Republican challenger Carly Fiorina? I remember taking

‘Liberal’ 9th Circuit backs government spying

June 10, 2013 By John Seiler The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is supposed to be the most liberal