The Montgomery County Council unanimously approved a bill on Tuesday that requires at least one, single-user restroom be made available in certain public facilities and county-owned buildings, regardless of gender.
Bill 4-22, Human Rights and Civil Liberties – Public Accommodations – Gender Inclusive Restrooms, also requires signage designating gender inclusive bathrooms.
Cosponsored by the entire council, Councilmember Sidney Katz and Council Vice President Evan Glass were the co-lead sponsors of the new legislation.
“This bill is supported by many advocacy groups including those representing the disability community and the LGBTQ+ community,” Councilmember Katz, who also serves as chair of the Public Safety Committee, said. “It is well reasoned, will not be burdensome to implement and will help everyone feel more comfortable.”
Bill 4-22 aims to increase accessibility for anyone to use a single-user restroom, regardless of gender, gender identity, or expression. Existing law required an owner of a business or county-owned building to restrict single occupancy restrooms to a specific gender.
“We want everyone in Montgomery County to feel welcome here,” Council Vice President Glass, Montgomery County’s first LGBTQ+ Councilmember, said.” “Members of our trans, nonbinary and disability communities often feel anxious and ignored by the choices of restrooms in commercial spaces. This legislation will help provide ease and comfort to them and everyone.”
The new legislation would also benefit people with disabilities, who may require assistance from caregivers or parents of a different gender when using a public restroom.
“As a person with disabilities that sometimes needs assistance in the bathroom, gendered single occupancy stalls are stressful for both my spouse and I because we are perceived as differently gendered than one another,” Montgomery County activist Ezra Towne said during public hearing testimony on this bill.
