D.C. not enforcing bathroom law
Renee Reopell | Dec 16, 2010
http://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/12/16/d-c-not-enforcing-bathroom-law/ (http://www.washingtonblade.com/2010/12/16/d-c-not-enforcing-bathroom-law/)
Two transgender women were assaulted in the Petworth area in March after trying to use the women's room at a local restaurant. Unfortunately, incidents like this are all too common, even in the District of Columbia. Often the presence of a transgender or gender non-conforming individual in the bathroom results in assault, insults and police intervention.
Everyone should have equal access to restrooms, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. In one of the largest studies done of the transgender community, 22 percent reported that they were denied access to appropriate bathrooms just in the workplace and 21 percent were not able to work out a suitable bathroom situation while at work.
District law attempts to rectify this problem. Washington, D.C. is one of 13 states and districts recognizing gender identity and expression in its area-wide non-discrimination policy.