Gendered Restrooms and Minority Stress

The public regulation of gender and its impact on transgender people’s lives

June 2013

This report discusses findings from a survey of transgender and gender non-conforming people in Washington, D.C. about their experiences in public restrooms. It appeared in the Journal of Public Management & Social Policy in Spring 2013.

AUTHORS

Jody L. Herman
Senior Scholar of Public Policy

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Highlights

Many respondents reported experiencing problems in public restrooms, including being denied access, verbally harassed, or physically assaulted.

Negative experiences in public restrooms impacted respondents' education, employment, health, and participation in public life.

Changes to public policies and public administration can help to address some of the problems transgender people experience in restrooms.

Data Points

18%

of respondents had been denied access to at least one gender-segregated restroom in DC

25%

of Black or African American respondents were denied access to restrooms

18%

of White respondents were denied access

68%

of respondents reported experiencing at least one instance of verbal harassment in gender-segregated public restrooms

87%

of Black or African American respondents reported experiencing verbal harassment in restrooms

63%

of White respondents reported experiencing verbal harassment

9%

of respondents reported experiencing at least one instance of physical assault in gender-segregated public restrooms

Please contact our communications office to request a copy of this study.

Related Publications

Report

Gendered Restrooms and Minority Stress

Related Publications

Gender Identity Non-Discrimination Laws in Public Accommodations

Suicide Thoughts and Attempts Among Transgender Adults

Gloucester County School Board v. G.G.: Amicus Brief