Gender-Neutral Restrooms For Philly

Included in Philadelphia's sweeping LGBT rights bill, which was signed into law last week by Mayor Michael Nutter, is a provision that requires gender-neutral restrooms in city-owned buildings.

The legislation requires that new or renovated city-owned buildings include gender-neutral bathrooms in addition to traditional men's and women's restrooms. There is more to the bill than just a neutral place to relieve oneself. Nutter, city and state lawmakers and gay rights advocates said the legislation makes Philadelphia the first city in the U.S. to offer tax credits to companies that extend the same health care coverage to LGBT employees' domestic partners and their children as they provide to heterosexual spouses and their children.  Officials said the legislation also makes Philadelphia the first city to offer businesses tax credits as a way to encourage providing transgender-specific health benefits.

(Tipped by JMG reader Mike)