The American Restroom Association strongly opposes Idaho’s HB 752, which will criminalize the use of restrooms of “the opposite sex” by transgender individuals. Access to restrooms is a fundamental human right, and we oppose any efforts that will make it more difficult for people to safely and effectively use the restroom, and thus go out in public. While we do note the presence of exceptions in the bill, we also believe that this law will make it harder for people with disabilities and people with digestive conditions to use public restrooms and go out in public in Idaho.

We remind Governor Little and the Idaho state government that past “bathroom bills” have had adverse effects in other states in the country.

“These laws make no one safer. In fact, they make it harder for people to use the restroom securely and place vulnerable individuals at greater risk for attack. There is also an impact on the economy: if people cannot use the restroom, or feel that they may be attacked for doing so, they often avoid going out in public, or going to that state,” noted Dr. Steven Soifer, the American Restroom Association’s co-founder and treasurer.

In our decades of advocacy and work on public restrooms, we have found that design and security make bathrooms safer, not bans. Specifically, we at the American Restroom Association advocate for an expansion of single-user, all-gender (unisex) restrooms, which are proven to ensure safety for all users and meet a variety of people’s needs. These restrooms are safer for everyone Idaho’s legislative majority and Governor Little cite in the bill: for people who feel unsafe using restrooms, for people with disabilities, for parents with children, and for transgender people. Such a focus would be a more promising and equitable path for Idaho.

We urge Governor Little and the Idaho legislature to reverse course on this bill.

If you or a loved one are concerned about restroom access, please contact the American Restroom Association at info@americanrestroom.org.