A Bathroom of Her Own: Why WeHo Has Gender-Neutral Restrooms

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If you’re wondering why West Hollywood businesses are making their single-stall restrooms gender-neutral, Drian Juarez offers an explanation in the moving and informative video above. It was created by the city’s Public Information Division in cooperation with Buzzfeed Video.

Juarez is program manager for the Transgender Economic Empowerment project at the LA LGBT Center and chair of West Hollywood’s Transgender Advisory Board. The City Council last June passed an ordinance requiring that single-stall public restrooms be gender-neutral. The conversion began in January, with businesses having 60 days to complete it.

The new ordinance benefits a number of different users including transgender and gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities or with personal attendants, people with children of a different gender and those who have waited in line for a gender-specific restroom when a restroom for a gender for which they don’t identify remained empty. West Hollywood is the first city in California to enact such a law.

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Guy Privaton (@guyprivaton)

the reason why we needed separation was to provide safety from pervs when ladies do their business

a walk through 24 Hr Fitness mens locker room will tell you men need more individual privacy from pervs too

any improvement on individual privacy in the 21st Century is an improvement

Guy Privaton (@guyprivaton)

Nowhere in the article or video is ‘gender neutral bathroom’ explained

Everyone has a gender neutral bathroom in their house.

jimmypalmieri
9 years ago

Drian is a true leader and teacher. I adore her.

Riley
Riley
9 years ago

@Martincomet – they have to be single-stall restrooms. The bathrooms on the outside are single stall.

jhenehan
9 years ago

Drian is a kind, intelligent, involved and valuable member of the West Hollywood community. Her activism speaks of bravery and caring for all the issues important in our developing culture. It’s a pleasure to support her efforts.

martincomet
9 years ago

Why then are the bathrooms inside city owned facilities like the Plummer Park Community Center not gender neutral?

Larry Block
9 years ago

Thank you Drian for all your great work. You are a super special person who empowers so many others. Thanks for your friendship and love. You have inspired me with your energy and spirit so on behalf of many Thank You!

Lynn
Lynn
9 years ago

A moving, dignified video illustrating a necessary solution. Excellent!