Portland Is Making 612 Public Restrooms Gender Neutral

"Safe access to a restroom is a basic right," says Commissioner Nick Fish.

Portland city government has converted more than 600 of its single-user, gender-specific public restrooms to all-user, gender-neutral facilities.

Commissioners Nick Fish and Amanda Fritz will tomorrow unveil the new signs hanging on the doors of the existing single-user restrooms, marking the change to "all-user" restrooms.

The signs, city officials said, will tell users what facilities are behind the door, not who should be using the restroom.

Fish proposed the reform in December 2015, partnering with community groups including Basic Rights Oregon, Multnomah County and Disability Rights Oregon.

The city council adopted the proposal in June, which applies to "city-controlled" buildings.

"Everyone should feel welcome in our city," Fish said in a statement. "Safe access to a restroom is a basic right and I'm very proud that the city has taken this important step forward."

The resolution, according to city officials, affirmed the city's commitment to removing barriers and creating safer workplaces for employees and treating everyone equally with respect and dignity.

The city manages around 850 restrooms. Fish's office says 612 of those restrooms are single-user facilities and nearly half are run by Portland Parks and Recreation.

"As Parks Commissioner, I am proud that nearly half of the restrooms with more inclusive signage are located on our facilities," Fritz said in a statement.

Fritz and Fish will unveil the signs on Friday at 11am in Dawson Park at North Williams Avenue and Stanton Street.

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