SF Supervisor Pushing For Gender Neutral Bathrooms
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) -- San Francisco Supervisor David Campos is introducing new legislation that would require all single-person bathrooms in San Francisco to be gender-neutral.
Campos was joined by Human Rights Commission director Theresa Sparks and Transgender Law Center director Kris Hayashi when he officially announces the plan at a news conference Monday, at San Francisco City Hall.
Unisex toilets are to be indicated by a sign on the door with a symbol bearing a male and a female.
"People should not be afraid and inconvenienced to do something as basic as going to the restroom," said Campos.
Campos is proposing the new ordinance that could make picking your powder room based on gender a thing of the past in San Francisco.
"What this legislation requires is that for all single person restrooms…they need to be available for all genders and put up signage that indicates they are available for all genders," explained Chris Hiyashi of the Transgender Law Center.
The ordinance would require signage that makes the change obvious, indicating "All Gender Restrooms" or "Gender Neutral Restrooms."
Leaders in the transgender community said it comes as s a welcome relief from the harassment they sometimes receive at men's or women's restrooms. Transgender San Francisco resident Jennifer Orthwein says a group of people got violent with her once as she left a hotel's women's restroom.
"As I approached them, someone grabbed my shoulder and spun me around," remembered Orthwein. "It was a man with his fist raised and clenched. I don't remember his exact words, so I threw my hands up and shouted "I am a woman!"
The legislation would only apply to single stall restrooms. Businesses that have restrooms with multiple stalls would not be required to change.
"I think that's great," said San Francisco resident Katie Tague. "Anything that makes people of all identities more comfortable in easier to access spaces like restrooms is a great idea."
Other locals were not so sure.
"I don't know. I'm not sure if I'm too comfortable with that," said San Francisco's Janet O'Leary. "I don't think I'm ready. I still like having that option to just go to the woman's restroom."
The new legislation for the bathroom designation will be introduced Tuesday.