City Council Approves Gender Neutral Bathroom Legislation
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The New York City Council has approved a bill that would require all single-occupant restrooms to become gender neutral.
The Council voted 47 to 2 on Tuesday in favor of the legislation, which Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to sign.
The measure, sponsored by council member Daniel Dromm requires single-occupant toilets to be available for people of all genders, WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported.
"Most New Yorkers take their unfettered access to bathrooms for granted, yet every single day, transgender and gender nonconforming individuals must grapple with the fact that their choices may lead to harassment or worse," Dromm said.
Under the legislation, establishments will be required to remove signs that designate gender on single occupant toilets. The law will effect thousands of bars, restaurants and other businesses, CBS2 reported.
"Other places in the country are trying to divide Americans with small-minded things, such as who can use a restroom. We're dedicated to accommodating all people in New York City," speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito said.
In March, de Blasio signed an executive order requiring city-owned buildings guarantee all individuals -- including those who are transgender or gender non-conforming -- access to single-sex facilities consistent with their gender identity.
Mayor Bill de Blasio is also expected to sign the the legislation, which requires establishments to have the signs in place by Jan 1.
Earlier this month, the city launched the nation's first government-led citywide ad campaign affirming every transgender person's right to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity.
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