Does your business or agency have a single stall restroom available to the public?
You have an all-gender restroom!
*gender neutral restroom braille ADA sign for the wall next to the restroom entrance
All-Gender Restroom Information
While state and local laws mandate single-use restrooms be labeled as all-gender, many businesses are still not aware and have not updated their restroom signs. Access to public restrooms is important for everyone and should be as hassle free and safe as possible. Unfortunately, for many transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming people, finding a safe place to relieve themselves can be difficult. Avoiding restrooms can result in cases of urinary tract infections, kidney infections, or other kidney-related problems.
The LGBTQ Commission wants to thank the LGBTQ Office of LGBTQ Affairs for Santa Clara County for sharing the information on All-Gender Restrooms, resources, links, and stats from the US Transgender Survey 2015. Information about the SCC Office of LGBTQ Affairs All-Gender Restroom Campaign can be found on their website at: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/lgbtq/Our-work/programs/Pages/All-Gender-Restroom-Signs.aspx
According to the US Transgender Survey, 2015 (linked to the US Transgender Survey, 2015)
"1 in 10 respondents reported that someone denied them access to a restroom in the past year."
"32% limited the amount that they ate and drank to avoid using the restroom."
"12% were verbally harassed [...] when accessing a restroom."
"[...] 1% were physically attacked [...] when accessing a restroom."
"[...] 1% were sexually assaulted when accessing a restroom."
"31% at least one type of mistreatment in the past year in a place of public accommodation."
"One in five respondents did not use at least one type of public accommodation in the past year because they feared they would be mistreated as a transgender person."
*white triangle on blue circle is a standard sign for doors
The simple action of changing a sign so that anyone can use a single stall restroom without waiting is beneficial to everyone and creates less stress for people of any gender.
Refuge Restrooms is a web application that seeks to provide safe restroom access for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming individuals. Users can search for restrooms by proximity to a search location, add new restroom listings, as well as comment and rate existing listings.
- Submit a restroom to the database
- Downloadable Restroom Signs to let people know you support safe access for all.
- Download a request letter template to invite businesses to update their restroom signage.
Where to buy Gender Neutral Restroom Signage?
The LGBTQ Commission would like to provide more information for you to learn about the California law regarding gender neutral restrooms.
- Information on CA Law 1732
- County of San Mateo Transgender Policy
- Compliance Signs guide for sign installation
- Open to All Campaign: Take Action for Local Groups: a new national and local campaign for businesses to pledge against discrimination.
- 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey
Purchase Options for Signs:
The LGBTQ Commission thanks the following businesses, Chambers of Commerce, and corporate groups for their support in securing gender neutral signs for public spaces in need of them.