A memo published in the Federal Register today gives transgender federal employees the right to use the restrooms that correspond to their preferred gender identity.
The regulations outlined in the memo state that doing otherwise amounts to sex discrimination.
The memo states:
Federal agencies occupying space under the jurisdiction, custody, or control of GSA must allow individuals to use restroom facilities and related areas consistent with their gender identity.
Denying an employee equal access to a common restroom corresponding to the employee’s gender identity is sex discrimination.
The memo also stipulates that agencies cannot avoid the requirement to provide equal access to a common restroom by restricting transgender employees to single-user bathrooms, however, agencies can make a single-user bathroom available to all employees.
Federal agencies are also prohibited from requiring proof of surgery or any other medical procedure from employees.
