Bowing to Trans Pressure, D.C. Starbucks Switching to Gender-Neutral Restrooms
by Kilian Melloy
Tuesday Oct 5, 2010

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=111155

Washington, D.C.-area Starbucks coffee shops have made the switch from gender-specific to gender-neutral restrooms in the wake of efforts from gay and trans equality groups.

Amanda Hess reported on Oct. 1 at her TBD blog that the switch would be ongoing throughout the month. The process of changing the single-occupant restrooms in all of the D.C. area's 52 Starbucks locations commenced Oct. 4.

The switch brings Starbucks into compliance with an ordinance that requires pubic restrooms to be accessible to trans and gender-nonconforming people.

Good the laws and guidelines are very weakly followed, it is good to see some companies takes it seriously for once.

Interestingly enough the Starbucks in Ashland, VA (about 70ish miles south of DC on I95) has gender nonspecific restrooms as well, despite there being to my knowledge no legislation requiring it.

It should be noted that Starbucks is based in Seattle.  Washington had very specific laws about gender identity and most companies based here, that are that size, simply set blanket rules about gender identity and how to handle things like this.

I'm more surprised they didn't do it sooner, to be honest