By Bob Katzen
This bill would change the state building code to allow gender-neutral bathrooms in new construction and renovations of buildings.
Supporters say that sex-segregated restroom facilities fail to accommodate the needs of every person, posing special difficulty to transgender and gender nonconforming students. They note that research shows that nearly two-thirds of transgender students avoid school bathrooms because they feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
“Massachusetts strives to be welcoming to all,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “We were the first state to vote to uphold rights against discrimination for all people. This bill would strengthen those protections in a small but very important way, by reducing daily stress for transgender and gender non-conforming people.”