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City of Milwaukee gender-inclusive restroom proposal moves forward

Posted at 8:06 PM, Nov 13, 2019
and last updated 2019-11-14 12:23:04-05

MILWAUKEE — A proposed gender-inclusive bathroom policy that would affect City of Milwaukee buildings is moving ahead, following a Common Council Committee meeting Wednesday morning.

The alderman-backed proposal would establish gender-inclusive restrooms, locker rooms and changing rooms in all city-owned buildings.

Equal Rights Commission members presented research explaining some 62% of surveyed transgender individuals in Wisconsin have avoided public restrooms in the last year over fear of getting into a confrontation while 33% have avoided eating or drinking to minimize their need to use a public restroom.

ERC member Nathan Guequierre says this is an opportunity for the city to get ahead of the curve and join more than 200 jurisdictions across the country that have already adopted similar legislation.

It would also help develop procedures to create gender-inclusive facilities in future properties owned by the city.

Alderman Robert Bauman, Ald. Cavalier Johnson and Ald. Nik Kovac are co-sponsors of the legislation.

Next, the resolution will head before the full Common Council for final approval.