Transgender individuals have new protection from the federal government. All federal buildings nationwide, must allow transgender individuals to be able to choose to use the restroom that matches the gender they identify with.
The United States General Services Administration issued an order Thursday, effective August 18, 2016, that requires protection similar to that identified under the country’s sex discrimination regulations.
“If you are a transgender, and you identify as male, then they cannot prevent you from using the men’s bathroom in a federal facility,” said Matt Zimmerman, with Bustos Law Firm. “And the opposite is true as well.”
Ashley Nash-Hahn, spokesperson for the GSA, told EverythingLubbock.com in a statement that the new regulations affect approximately 9,200 federal buildings around the country.
Locally, those building include the George Mahon Federal Building and United States Court House in downtown Lubbock, as well as the Department of Agriculture’s Research Services facility. Social security offices across the country are also impacted.
“The bulletin makes it clear that an individual can use whichever restroom matches their gender identity,” Nash-Hahn said.
Zimmerman explained that the signage on the bathrooms do not have to change, though many cities and states have already begun the process of changing signage to include transgender individuals.
“It looked like in some place in the order they gave the option where if the building chooses to, they may change the signage or they may put in additional restrooms to deal with this issue,” Zimmerman said.
Zimmerman recognized many concerns that have come up regarding the “transgender bathroom” discussion, such as people who may deliberately enter the restroom of the opposing sex under the guise of a different identity. He said many government organizations have already backed the new guidelines.
“…transgender individuals do not have to be undergoing or have completed any medical procedure, nor can they be required to show proof of surgery to be treated in accordance with their gender identity and obtain access to the restroom corresponding with their gender identity. Further, Federal agencies may make individuals to only use single-occupancy restrooms, such as family or accessible facilities open to all genders. However, Federal agencies may make individual-user options available to all individuals who voluntarily seek additional privacy,” the order stated.
The order also cited the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title IX.
The directive was to remain in effect until further notice.
