Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC Bringing Transgender Bathroom PSA Campaign To Subways, Streets
By
Scott Heins
Published Jun 6, 2016
Modified Jun 6, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Scott Heins
Published Jun 6, 2016
Modified Jun 6, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
City officials have launched a new campaign supporting transgender bathroom rights featuring PSAs that encourage New Yorkers to "Look Past Pink And Blue." The new Be You campaign encourages residents to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity, rather than their birth-assigned sex, and will soon be seen in subway cars, bus shelters, phone booths, and community newspapers.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the NYC Commission on Human Rights announced the new campaign Monday. “No one deserves to be denied access to bathrooms or discriminated against for being who they are. Every New Yorker has the legal right to use the bathroom consistent with their gender identity, no questions asked - and these powerful ads affirm this right,” the Mayor said. De Blasio stressed New York's history as a leader in the fight for LGBTQ rights, where gender-reassignment surgery can be covered by insurance and city agencies are barred from restricting bathrooms based on gender.
"While other cities and states are legislating intolerance and taking away individuals’ right to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity, we are proudly standing with our transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers," de Blasio added.
City officials say the campaign is the nation’s first government-led citywide ad campaign for transgender persons' right to choose a bathroom based on their identity. The ads, along with associated videos, feature real transgender New Yorkers, one of whom is Bronx resident Alisha King.
“Bathroom discrimination is a regular occurrence for the transgender community,” King said Monday. “So much so that many of us avoid even using public restrooms to begin with. I sincerely hope these ads help people understand that transgender people are people just like you. We just want to use the restroom safely and be treated with respect.”
Opponents of transgender bathroom rights have made claims that allowing someone to use a bathroom based upon their gender identity fosters a "fearful and intimidating and unhealthy and unsafe environment." That anti-trans sentiment, however, has been widely debunked by safety advocates and and police departments, including the NYPD. "In the 14 years that New York City has protected equal access to bathrooms, we know of no incidents where this policy has presented a public safety concern," Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said Monday. "The NYPD protects the safety of all New Yorkers."
Additionally, the city has published a fact sheet meant to correct common myths and prejudices about bathroom use and transgender rights.
In truth, it is transgender New Yorkers who are most often at risk, Human Rights Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis argues. “We created these ads to remind every New Yorker, cis and transgender alike that the City protects your right to live and work according to your gender identity and expression, including your right to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity," Malalis said in a statement. "Far too often, transgender people suffer bullying, harassment and violence for being who they are. These ads show that transgender people, like everyone else, have the right to use the restroom in peace.”
Tagged
bathroom laws
bill de blasio
commission on human rights
gender identity
transgender rights
Scott Heins
Scott Heins is a freelance photo and video journalist based in New York City, and a frequent contributor to Gothamist + WNYC. His work often centers around labor rights, housing, and policing. In 2018-2019 he traveled to four states while covering a wave of public school teachers strikes, with work featured in The New York Times, The Intercept, Getty Images, Splinter, and Bloomberg Photos. Scott is a dues-paying member of the National Writers Union's Freelance Solidarity Project.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
New Yorkers enrolled in SNAP will get more money for fresh produce next year
Residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive 40% more through the Health Bucks program.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 29, 2026 at 4:19 p.m. ET
'You can't even look out the window': Asbestos dust coats Brooklyn NYCHA building walls
Nearly two dozen apartments are affected, with residents offered relocation.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
'You can't even look out the window': Asbestos dust coats Brooklyn NYCHA building walls
Nearly two dozen apartments are affected, with residents offered relocation.
By
Catalina Gonella
Trash containers take over Brooklyn parking spaces as NYC gets garbage bags off sidewalks
By
Liam Quigley
Mamdani says he's 'confident' NYC will collect $500 million with pied-à-terre tax
By
Elizabeth Kim
and
David Brand
NYPD won't enforce NYC's bus fare while MTA security force is suspended
By
Clayton Guse
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .