New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed an executive order this morning to ensure that anyone can use the bathroom in accordance with their gender, regardless of any identification. The mayor said when he signed the new requirements,

“New Yorkers are now guaranteed the right to visit the restroom that matches their gender identity in all city buildings, after Mayor Bill de Blasio signed an executive order Monday. The new rule, which is now in effect, covers all bathrooms or locker rooms in city-government buildings, parks, and some museums. It doesn’t apply to the city’s public schools, which are already supposed to have such policies in place.

Access to bathrooms and other single-sex facilities is a fundamental human right that should not be restricted or denied to any individualEvery New Yorker should feel safe in our city — and this starts with our city’s buildings.”

Text on the bottom reads,

“Per Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Executive order #16, NYC bathrooms are now safer places for transgender people. You be you. We got your back.”

Council Member Rosie Mendez, Chair of the LGBT Caucus said,

“I applaud Mayor de Blasio on signing this Executive Order to require City agencies to be culturally sensitive to the needs of LGBTQ and gender non-conforming individuals in New York City. With this Executive Order, managers will be trained on policies that allow individuals to use bathrooms and locker rooms that are consistent with their gender identity expression without needing to show identification or any type of proof of their gender. An Executive Order such as this sends a message to LGBTQ New Yorkers that our needs are important and this City will do everything in its power to protect us.“