New York City launches ad campaign affirming transgender rights to use bathroom of chosen gender identity

Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City and the NYC Commission on Human Rights launched on June 6 a citywide ad campaign affirming people's right to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity.

"No one deserves to be denied access to bathrooms or discriminated against for being who they are. Every New Yorker has the legal right to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity, no questions asked – and these powerful ads affirm this right," said de Blasio. "New York City has long been a leader in the fight for LGBTQ equality, and these ads are further evidence of the City's unwavering support of our diverse communities."

He further mentioned that while other cities and states are trying to push intolerance and are trying to remove people's rights to use bathrooms based on their gender identity, "we are proudly standing with our transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers."

The campaign includes gender identity ads emblazoned on subway cars, phone booths, and bus shelters. They will also be seen on NYC TV; social media, both in English and Spanish; as well as in ethnic and community newspapers, in Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Russian and Bengali. These feature transgender New Yorkers, and they urge people to "use the restroom consistent with who you are" as well as to "look past pink and blue." It kicks off the LGBTQ Pride Month.

"Every New Yorker has the right to use the restroom that matches their gender identity and where they feel comfortable and safe," said First Lady Chirlane McCray, Honorary Chair of the Commission on Gender Equity. "No New Yorker should have to worry about hiding their gender identity to take care of basic human needs. Others may advance hateful agendas that discriminate based on gender or gender identity, but that kind of bigotry will never be acceptable here, and we will keep fighting to root it out until no New Yorker feels discriminated against."

Among those who have participated in making the ads are Bronx residents Alisha King, full-time mom; Charlie Solidum, a health care professional; and Ky Platt, a technical theatre professional; as well as high school student and transgender rights activist Ariel Murtagh. They are trying to raise awareness to transgender rights and the legal right of people in New York to use bathrooms in accordance to their gender identity and not their biological sex.

The NYC government's press release says that equal bathroom access had been the city's policy for years, including in public schools, but thus far, there has been no reported incident of bathroom attacks.

"Safe and equal bathrooms access is essential for everyone," said Human Rights Commissioner and Chair Carmelyn P. Malalis. "And in New York City, it's the law. We created these ads to remind every New Yorker, cis and transgender alike, that the City protects your right to live and work according to your gender identity and expression, including your right to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity."

June 2016 is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, as proclaimed by Pres. Barack Obama on May 1.