A few weeks ago, we published a post covering the history and most recent legislation that’s sparked a national debate on unisex bathrooms and public accommodations for transgender persons. It’s a discussion that continues to rage on, pushing more states than just North Carolina to draft up legislation. In response, the Obama Administration has recently issued a statement and we’re beginning to see the need for federal guidelines on the topic. To get educated on HB2 and the now notorious North Carolina “bathroom bill,” we recommend reading our last post here.
From 2015 to 2016, much of our national dialog and unrest in civil rights has been related to the LGBT community. Fueled by the Supreme Court’s historic ruling in favor of same-sex marriage, many states have sought to button up their conservative policies and introduce/enact anti-LGBT legislation. The most well-known of these has been North Carolina’s bathroom bill, passed in March 2016. However, there are more than 100 active bills across 22 states – covering a wide range of categories – discriminating against the LGBT community in one way or another. As it relates to transgender bathroom access, the interactive map below (latest updated May 4, 2016) shows a pictorial representation of current legislation.
Surprisingly, it’s been the business community that has played a major role so far in limiting the actions of state governments. Just this week, 49ers owner, Jed York, spoke out against North Carolina’s controversial bathroom law and followed it up with a $75,000 give to the LGBT-rights advocacy group, Equality North Carolina. While it’s nice to think that the influence of private money on public policy can regulate this issue long-term, the White House has spoken out in hopes of steering the conversation on a national level.
In letters issued on May 13, 2016 from the Justice Department and Education Department, the Obama Administration directed public schools to allow transgender access to restrooms. Citing Tile IX, which prohibits sexual discrimination at education facilities receiving federal funding, the letters mean transgender students must be allowed to use the bathroom of their choice. In response, 11 states have sued the Obama administration in a suit filed on Wednesday (May 25, 2016). The states of Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin, along with the Arizona Department of Education and Maine Gov. Paul LePage are listed as plaintiffs-and most likely the first outspoken challengers in what will be an ongoing debate.
At Portable Restroom Trailers, LLC, we are continuing to stay on top of the most current events and local legislation related to unisex bathrooms and the transgender restrooms debate. While this is new news in the media, offering gender neutral restroom solutions and all gender bathroom and shower trailers has been something we’ve specialized in for some time.
To view our complete line of unisex restrooms and shower trailers, click here. Also, feel free to also call us at 1-877-600-8654 anytime to discuss what options are available. Our unisex restrooms offer equal access to the transgender community, while still protecting the privacy and safety of your other guests.
