Unisex bathrooms not so bad

T he law now requiring all single-user toilet facilities in any business or public accommodation now be unisex should not be a huge burden for business owners.

Many such bathrooms are already unisex and the law, which is another law which hits business owners, really only requires owners to change the signage on the bathroom doors should not be too costly.

The law is tied to the transgender issue which in California basically means a transgender person can choose the bathroom of their new gender, not their birth gender. Some states have required transgender people to use the bathroom of their birth gender.

While not debating the whole transgender issue, the new law is a minor inconvenience for business owners and probably protects them from someone filing a lawsuit over access to a bathroom. Since the law only applies to single-user toilet facilities, it does not require any construction modifications. We would have a problem making the law apply to multi-staff restrooms which are designed to cater to a particular sex.

We are a bit confused by the color requirements as explained by the city’s public works folks. Based on those comments, the signs have to contrast with the color of the entries into the restrooms so they stand out. We find that a bit much. Also, the signs must be in braille as well.

We encourage business owners and others affected by this new law to do their research to ensure they are purchasing the correct signs. As the city said, it would be a shame to go out and purchase a few signs at $10 or more a sign, only to find out they do not meet the new law or the American with Disabilities Act requirements.

Editorials in The Porterville Recorder are the opinion of the editorial board which consists of Publisher Rick Elkins and the managing editor. Other columns, letters and cartoons on this page express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily of The Recorder.