A+ Campaign Backs Trans Rights To Use Whatever Bathroom They Damn Well Want

A solid ‘grats and a  to our friends in NYC.

The New York City Commission on Human Rights has launched the v. v. excellent Be You campaign to remind NYC’s citizens that they have a legal right to use whichever bathroom is consistent with their gender identity, not simply the sex they were born with.

The posters feature actual transgender New Yorkers, and are right now on subway cars, bus shelters and phone booths across the city, as well as in ethnic and community newspapers, across social media, in digital publications, in a variety of languages.

“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 NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The campaign is reported to have cost $US265,000 ($359,590). It’s been illegal since 2002 to discriminate against or harass someone based on their gender identity, but in the wake of some absolutely transphobic vitriol coming out of the United States, it’s some money bloody well worth spent.

“Bathroom discrimination is a regular occurrence for the transgender community,” said Alisha King, a Bronx resident and full-time mum who stars in the campaign. “So much so that many of us avoid even using public restrooms to begin with. I sincerely hope these ads help people understand that transgender people are people just like you. We just want to use the restroom safely and be treated with respect.”
In order to help facilitate that understanding, the campaign has also launched a ‘Myth vs Fact‘ sheet to try and dispel some of the misinformation that is now circulating, particularly the wildly inaccurate suggestion that men will somehow ‘use’ this law to enter women’s bathrooms and harass / attack women and children.
“Safe and equal bathrooms access is essential for everyone,” said Human Rights Commissioner and Chair Carmelyn P. Malalis. “And in New York City, it’s the law. We created these ads to remind every New Yorker, cis and transgender alike, that the City protects your right to live and work according to your gender identity and expression, including your right to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.

“Far too often, transgender people suffer bullying, harassment and violence for being who they are. These ads show that transgender people, like everyone else, have the right to use the restroom in peace.”

Source / Photo: NYC Commission on Human Rights.

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