The NYC Commission on Human Rights launched on Monday the nation’s first citywide ad campaign to support residents’ right to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity, regardless of their biological sex.
“Every New Yorker has the legal right to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity, no questions asked — and these powerful ads affirm this right,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement.
Ads like these, instructing readers to “look past pink and blue” and to “use the restroom consistent with who you are,” will begin appearing all across the city, including in subway cars, phone booths, and community newspapers.
The campaign — which will costs $265,000 according to Buzzfeed — comes at the height of a polarized national debate over transgender rights, following multiple complaints of harassment and denial of access to public accommodation from transgender individuals.
“Given the recent national rhetoric threatening trans peoples’ access to public spaces, I feel privileged to live in New York City, where the laws are explicit about protecting us regardless of our documentation, transition status or gender expression,” said Charles Solidum, a Bronx resident and trans health care professional who features in one of the ads.
It has been illegal to discriminate against an individual on the basis of gender and gender identity in New York City since 2002. In December 2015, the de Blasio administration released a legal enforcement guidance defining specific gender identity protections under the City Human Rights Law, including equal bathroom access.
Finally, in March it issued an executive order requiring City agencies to ensure that employees and members of the public are given equal access to single-sex facilities — without being required to show identification.
Businesses and employers barring a transgender or gender non-conforming person from using the facility of their choice can incur civil penalties up to $125,000 for violations, and up to $250,000 for violations that are the result of willful, wanton, or malicious conduct.
