The General Services Administration announced that federal buildings will allow transgender employees and visitors to use the restrooms corresponding to their gender identity.
“Federal agencies occupying space under the jurisdiction, custody, or control of GSA must allow individuals to use restroom facilities and related areas consistent with their gender identity,” the GSA’s bulletin stated. It cited Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 as the legal reasoning behind its decision, which applies to over 9,200 federal facilities in over 2,000 United States cities. The GSA’s new policy does not extend to the Capitol building, the White House or national parks. Fortunately, said federal properties already have transgender-friendly bathroom policies in place for employees and students.
The federal government has made multiple efforts to support transgender equality over the past two years. The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Justice Department, Department of Education, and Office of Personnel Management have all ruled in favor of transgender bathroom access. In May, the Obama administration issued guidelines allowing transgender bathroom access in public schools. The Republican administrations of over 20 states are suing the federal government in response to trans-friendly policies.
The General Services Administration’s bulletin also stated that “a person does not need to undergo any medical procedure to be considered a transgender man or a transgender woman.”
GSA spokesperson Ashley Nash-Hahn told BuzzFeed News: “This includes all kinds of Americans. We wanted to make clear that a person can use facilities that match their gender identity, and we think that’s a good thing.”
