New rule addresses bathroom access for transgender people in WA

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A new rule in Washington state requires buildings open to the public to allow transgender people to use restrooms and locker rooms of the gender they identify with.

Washington Human Rights Commission Executive Director Sharon Ortiz said Tuesday that the policy, created by agency, took effect Dec. 26.

There are exceptions, including school locker rooms. Schools must "assess the use of locker rooms by transgendered students on a case-by-case basis," says the rule. It adds, "in most cases," transgender students should be allowed into the locker room of the gender they identify with.

The commission, created by Washington's Legislature, is responsible for administering and enforcing the Washington Law Against Discrimination, according to Ortiz.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
The Gayly - 1/05/2016 @ 4:52 p.m. CST