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De Blasio Signs Executive Order Requiring Transgender Access to Single-Sex Facilities

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio / AP
March 8, 2016

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation Monday that requires individuals be granted access to public bathrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity.

The executive order mandates that transgender and gender non-conforming individuals be allowed to use single-sex facilities consistent with their gender identity. Individuals will not need to show identification or any proof of their gender to use the facilities, the Associated Press reported.

The order, effective immediately, applies to buildings owned by the city of New York, including city offices, public parks, pools, playgrounds, recreation centers, and some museums.

"Every New Yorker should feel safe and welcome in our city--and this starts with our city buildings. Access to bathrooms and other single-sex facilities is a fundamental human right that should not be restricted or denied to anyone," de Blasio, a Democrat, said in a statement Monday.

"Today’s order makes it clear that New York City fully supports the right of every New Yorker to use the single-sex facility consistent with their gender identity."

New York City is home to approximately 25,000 transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, according to officials.

The order mandates that agencies post the new policy so that the public and employees are notified, train managers and staff on the policy, and report to city administrators about the steps done to comply with the executive order.

Agencies are required to comply with the order immediately or seek an exemption through the Commission on Human Rights.

The executive order does not, however, apply to New York City’s public schools because a policy is already in place to mandate that students be allowed to use locker rooms and bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.

Many large cities across the United States have implemented similar measures to allow transgender people to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.

Published under: Bill de Blasio