These new ads will be used to promote trans people’s right to use bathrooms
New subway ads are going to appear around New York City to promote trans people’s right to use the bathrooms that match their gender identity.
The $265,000 campaign sponsored by the New York City Commission on Human Rights follows reports from trans people that they had been denied entry into bathrooms.
The ads will reportedly be displayed in subway cars, bus shelters, phone booths and are also set to run in newspapers in English and in languages including Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Russian and Bengali.
“Use the restroom consistent with who you are,” read the ads, “In NYC, it’s the law. No questions asked.”
Trans New Yorkers featured in the ads include Alisha King and Charles Solidum.
“Bathroom discrimination is a regular occurrence for the transgender community,” King told BuzzFeed news in a statement.
“So much so that many of us avoid even using public restrooms to begin with. I sincerely hope these ads help people understand that transgender people are just people just like you.
“We just want to use the restroom safely and be treated with respect.”
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also said in a statement: “While other cities and states are legislating intolerance and taking away individuals’ right to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity, we are proudly standing with our transgender and gender nonconforming New Yorkers.
“Every New Yorker has the legal right to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity, no questions asked.”
In March, North Carolina enacted a law requiring that people be allowed to use only the public restroom that corresponds to the sex on their birth certificates.
Meanwhile, the White House has taken an opposing position, directing that transgender students be allowed to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity.
In response, on May 25, 11 states sued the Obama administration to block the federal government from enforcing the directive.