Transgender advocacy groups have created a crowdsourced map of transgender-friendly restrooms in Idaho to help residents find safe facilities.
The state Legislature recently passed a law banning people who do not match the gender they were assigned at birth from bathrooms. The law, which took effect earlier this month, applies to government-owned buildings and private businesses open to the public, such as gas stations, restaurants, entertainment venues and hospitals.
A first-time violation of the law, which opponents call a “toilet ban,” carries a penalty of up to one year in prison. A second or third offense could result in up to five years in prison, or potentially life in prison if prosecutors invoke the state’s “habitual offender” law.
But last month, a judge granted a partial preliminary injunction against a lawsuit filed by six transgender people in Idaho. Currently, transgender people can use single-occupancy restrooms in government-owned buildings and public accommodations (including private businesses) according to their gender identity. Additionally, if a single-person toilet is unavailable or occupied, a multi-person toilet may be used.
The injunction only applies to bathrooms, so anyone who enters a changing room that does not match their assigned sex at birth can still be prosecuted under the law.
For now, Lurian advises transgender people to use gender-neutral restrooms “if they feel most comfortable” to be safe.
It remains unclear how police will enforce the parts of the injunction that are not covered by it. The Idaho Fraternal Order of Police and the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association opposed the measure, arguing that there is no practical way to confirm birth sex during field contact without “invasive and inappropriate” interrogations or searches.
“Idaho’s Safe Restroom List was created because our communities need practical tools, not just conversations,” Trans Affirm wrote on its website promoting the map. “We wanted to build a resource by and for Idahoans that would increase access to information, strengthen community knowledge sharing, and help people feel more prepared when navigating public spaces.
“At Trans Affirm, we believe that community care is important. There are not always institutions, policies, or systems that step in to reduce harm in moments like this,” the group continued. “No one is going to save us from bigotry and anti-trans laws. We have to be here for our community, and this is how we can do it.”
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
