Gender-Neutral Restrooms Might Soon Be A Requirement In Denver
DENVER (CBS4) - The City of Denver may soon require gender-neutral restrooms.
The proposal requires a change to the city's building codes. Denver City Council will vote on the amendment this month. It would require single-stall restrooms to be designated as gender neutral.
It would do away with signs that say "men's" or "women's" restroom in the City and County of Denver. It does not affect multi-stall bathrooms which would still remain gender-specific.
The goal is to make bathrooms more accessible and cut down on wait times for everyone from transgender people, those who need caretaker assistance, and even family members who accompany children with a different gender.
District 7 City Councilman Jolon Clark says he understands the need for the change.
"My daughter has gotten caught in lots of those lines on Pearl and Broadway where she needs to go but we can't use the other bathroom because the sign says she can't," Clark said. "It's an equity issue for everybody."
Other cities have passed similar laws from Seattle, West Hollywood, Berkeley, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia.
Jennifer Brice is a reporter with CBS4 focusing on crime and courts. Follow her on Facebook or on Twitter @CBS4Jenn.