(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) –Surrounded by supporters on the steps of City Hall, Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) called on Governor Jerry Brown to sign his bill to establish the nation’s most inclusive restroom access law among states.
Sponsored by Equality California, the Transgender Law Center and California NOW, Ting’s Assembly Bill (AB) 1732 would make all single-user restrooms in California businesses, government buildings, and places of public accommodation universally accessible to all genders starting March 1, 2017. The bill passed the State Senate 28-7 and the State Assembly 57-18 last month. Governor Brown has until the end of September to act on it.
“Everyone’s rights must be respected and protected. This simple concept is oddly cutting edge when compared with the discrimination being enacted in other states,” said Ting. “Bathroom access is a basic biological need and this bill will help ensure safe, fair, and convenient access for everyone. By signing this bill into law, Governor Brown can chart a new course of equality for the nation.”
“This critical legislation expands the access rights we have in San Francisco to every county across our state,” said San Francisco Supervisor David Campos. “This legislation will help ensure that all California residents, including LGBT individuals and people with disabilities, can use the bathroom in peace- without fear of harassment or discrimination.”
“For my whole life, public restrooms have been places of fear, anxiety, and danger for me – just because I don’t fit people’s expectations of what a woman should look like,” said Sara Rosenfeld, a 44-year-old woman from Berkeley. “As a queer, black, more masculine-looking woman, I am constantly questioned and harassed when I use the bathroom. AB 1732 is a simple but important law that would help cut down on the fear and harassment I face every day.”
"This common-sense bill would make restrooms more accessible for everyone," said Jo Michael, Legislative Manager for Equality California. "For transgender and gender non-conforming people in particular, using public restrooms all too often comes with fear of being harassed. This bill would ensure that anyone who needs a safe, private restroom will have that option."
“AB 1732 will help reduce the harassment and violence that transgender people and people who don’t fit in with gender stereotypes often experience in gender-specific restrooms," said Sasha Buchert, Staff Attorney at Transgender Law Center. "Nobody should have to fear using a restroom and everyone will benefit by expanding access to restrooms that are safe, convenient, and fair.”
“This bill increases access and safety for all,” said Somer Loen, President of the San Francisco Chapter of NOW. “Restroom restrictions have been justified to protect women but this is rooted in the antiquated idea that women need constant protection from the world outside of their doorsteps. To those defending inequality, women say ‘Not in our name.’”
A 2013 study by the UCLA Williams Institute found 70% of transgender and gender non-conforming individuals face serious threats when using gender-specific restrooms. These threats include being verbally harassed, denied access or physically assaulted.
Nineteen states considered legislation this year to restrict access to restrooms, locker rooms, and other sex-segregated facilities on biological sex. North Carolina enacted HB 2, which requires individuals to use restrooms consistent with their birth gender. Last month, a federal judge in Texas halted an Obama administration directive that allows transgender students to use the restroom corresponding with their gender identity in public schools.
California is ahead of the curve on these issues. In 2013, Brown signed AB 1266 to ensure transgender students at public schools may participate in gender-restricted school programs and use restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their gender identity. In 2011, Brown signed AB 887 to include “gender identity” and “gender expression” into California’s nondiscrimination laws.