Vote contrasts with discriminatory laws recently enacted in other states
(SACRAMENTO, CA) – The California State Assembly passed a bill authored by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) to establish the nation’s most inclusive restroom access law among states. AB 1732 would require all single-occupancy restrooms in California to be universally accessible and identified as “all gender.” The vote stood in contrast with North Carolina filing suit today against the U.S. Justice Department in defense of its discriminatory restroom law.
“We just sent a powerful message to the nation. This is a simple, safe, and respectful alternative to the hate being legislated in other states,” said Ting. “Restrooms are a necessity of life, making equal access to them a civil rights issue. Gender segregated access to a solitary restroom defies common sense. This bill moves us in a direction where everyone’s rights are respected and protected.”
Sponsored by Equality California, the Transgender Law Center and California NOW, AB 1732 passed 55-19. It now moves to the California State Senate for further review.
"As other states across the country -- most notably, North Carolina and Mississippi -- target transgender people and limit their rights, we are moving California towards greater fairness and inclusion," said Rick Zbur, executive director of Equality California. "This common-sense bill will make public restrooms more secure and accessible for all of us."
“All Californians should have the same freedom to participate in public life, go about their day, and use the bathroom when they need it,” said Kris Hayashi, Executive Director of Transgender Law Center. “By making single-user restrooms accessible to all genders, this law will make life easier for everyone and reduce the harassment regularly experienced by transgender people and others who don’t match people’s stereotypes of what it looks like to be a man or a woman.”
“When nature calls, women frequently have to wait,” said Jerilyn Stapleton, President of California NOW. “We shouldn’t have to wait or postpone having our needs fairly met in public. Everyone should experience equal waiting time. We have universal bathroom access at home and on airplanes so why not require it in public buildings?”
In March, North Carolina enacted HB 2, which requires people to use public restrooms consistent with their birth gender. The U.S. Department of Justice determined it violates federal civil rights law and said the state must remedy the problem or risk losing billions of Title IX dollars. In April, Mississippi enacted HB 1523, which allows discrimination on the basis of religion. Companion bills in the Kansas State Legislature would place a $2,500 bounty on transgender individuals found using a school restroom corresponding with their gender identity.
Further information about AB 1732 is available online www.leginfo.ca.gov.