NYC Transit Implements New Transgender Rules by 365Gay.com

(New York City) The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has reached agreement with a transgender advocacy group and will implement new regulations allowing people to use MTA public restrooms consistent with their gender expression.

The agreement ends a complaint filed with the New York City Commission on Human Rights involving a 70 year old transsexual who was arrested three times by transit police for using the women's restroom at Grand Central Terminal.

Helena Stone, 70, said an officer called her "a freak, a weirdo and the ugliest woman in the world" and warned her, "If I ever see you in the women's bathroom, I'm going to arrest you."

Stone has worked for Verizon and its predecessor for 37 years and has been in transition from male to female for about 10 years.
In August of last year she was assigned to repair the pay phones at Grand Central, where, she said, harassment by MTA officers "started slowly and began to mount."

She was arrested on disorderly conduct charges on Sept. 29, on Dec. 17 and on Jan. 12. The arrests occurred as she tried to use the women's restrooms at the station, she said, and since then she has been forced to use a cup in her office, which has no bathroom.

The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund filed a discrimination complaint with the Commission on Human Rights and in March held a rally in support of Stone. (story)

Following the rally the charges against Stone were dropped but the discrimination complaint continued, seeking, among other things, an injunction barring the MTA from continuing to violate provisions of the New York City Human Rights Law that protect transgender people from discrimination.

As part of the agreement announced Monday the MTA agrees to adopt a policy allowing people to use MTA public restrooms consistent with their gender expression; implement a transgender sensitivity training program for MTA employees; and pay $2,000 in damages to Stone.
“Today's settlement marks a milestone in the transgender community's struggle to be free from discrimination and harassment,” said Michael Silverman, TLDEF's Executive Director and General Counsel.
“I only wanted to go to work and live my life as who I am,” said Stone.
Transgender people routinely face harassment, including arrest, when attempting to use restrooms and other sex- segregated facilities, said Silverman.

The New York City Human Rights Law protects transgender people from harassment and discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, including restrooms.
©365Gay.com 2006