New York City Council voted 47-2 to pass a legislation to remove "men" and "women" signs from single-occupancy bathrooms, and it now moves to Mayor Bill De Blasio for signature, who is expected to approve it.
The legislation orders all businesses in the city to remove gendered signs on the single-occupant restroom, and will be implemented from January 2017. The signs are not required to be removed from multi-stall bathrooms.
In March, De Blasio had issued an executive order to allow people to use bathrooms and locker rooms consistent with gender identity.
"Most New Yorkers take their unfettered access to bathrooms for granted, yet every single day transgender and gender non-conforming individuals must grapple with the fact that their choices may lead to harassment or worse," said Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Queens), the sponsor.
Thousands of bars, restaurants, offices and other businesses will be affected by the new law if signed. Non-compliance with the city law will carry fines up to $500.
New York City recently launched an ad campaign earlier this month to promote the idea of looking "past pink and blue." The ads were displayed at bus stops, phone booths, subway cars, all over the city.
The New York City Human Rights Commission released 31 different terms of gender expression that employers must use or risk facing thousands of dollars of fines. Intentionally misusing pronouns to refer to an individual can lead to a fine of $125,000, while "malicious" use of pronouns are liable to be fined at $250,000.
"Imagine subjecting a church pre-school or religious charity to these rules. A finding of noncompliance could financially destroy them," said Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council.
Pope Benedict XVI condemned the understanding behind such regulations, while speaking at a Christmas gathering about four years ago.
"When the freedom to be creative becomes the freedom to create oneself, then necessarily the Maker himself is denied and ultimately man too is stripped of his dignity as a creature of God, as the image of God at the core of his being," he said.
