A proposal submitted by councilman Jim Kenney would mandate gender-neutral bathrooms in addition to men’s and women’s restrooms for any newly constructed or renovated city-owned buildings and require transgender health benefits for city employees. Kenney said:

It can be an awkward and embarrassing situation” for anyone who may “feel more like a woman, but can’t use the women’s room. These functions should be fair for everybody.

A very true sentiment, even if his word choice may not be ideal. Use of public restrooms should be fair and open to everyone.

Here in Pittsburgh, the actions of the University of Pittsburgh is currently under investigation by the City Human Relations Comission after a gay and lesbian student organization filed a complaint against the University, and Pitt’s general counsel issued a statement requiring a person to use the restroom which matches the gender marker of the person’s birth certificate, even when a person has transitioned fully. Gender-neutral spaces are a means to provide everyone with a safe and comfortable space, and should be a no brainer for all new and renovated space.

Not a Bathroom Bill!

The story linked about this is from the Huffington Post, a fairly liberal and objective news source,yet even there, the story’s headline panders to the Far Right which deems any trans related legislation as a “bathroom bill.” There are two other, and extremely important components of the legislation:

1.  Health care benefits for city employees would also cover psychotherapy, hormone treatments, laser hair removal and gender confirmation surgery.
2. Online city websites and applications gender-neutral.

Legislation that doesn’t cost money?

HuffPo may not be pandering by focusing on the gender-neutral accommodations. This aspect of the bill would cost the city nothing, as they already require single user accommodations to be handicap accessible. The change may be simply a matter of signage. A great way to sell a bill is to point out how it doesn’t cost the taxpayers anything.

I actually think all three parts to this legislation are crucial and useful to everyone. By covering some costs associated with transitioning, trans persons who are in transition can more easily make their outsides match their insides, a way I’ve heard many trans describe the importance of transitioning. And the importance of gender-neutral forms is critical as it not only makes these accessible online city websites and applications gender-neutral. to trans persons, but helps educate everyone on the importance of gender neutral language.