New Yorkers React To Legislation To Make Bathrooms Gender Neutral

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It could be the end of "his" and "hers" in some public bathrooms in New York City.

CBS2's Scott Rapoprt explains the reason behind the possible change.

Bathroom equality and availability for all -- seems like a no-brainer. But in this "his" and "hers" world of commode characterizations, where does a transgender person fit it?

It's a thought provoking question that has been on the mind of New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, whose office released a study on Friday.

The National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and UCLA Law School say 70 percent of transgender people surveyed report denial of access to bathrooms.

Now legislation is looming requiring public and private buildings in New York City which have public facilities to provide "gender neutral" bathrooms.

The proposed law would require businesses to place signs on single occupancy bathrooms identifying them as gender neutral.

The proposal would not apply to multi-stall bathrooms and would not require businesses to construct new bathrooms.

"Transgender people can be what they want to be and they should be able to use the bathroom as whatever gender they want," said Marco from Jackson Heights.

Amir Lal, also from Jackson Heights, had a different opinion.

"No. You should keep it as it is.. It's been working," Lal said. "This system has been working effectively."

Restaurant owners like Peter Seretis of the Hudson Eatery say they have no problem with the proposed change.

"It's a sign, Seretis said. "It's not much to change it."