Public Restrooms in the Media

“A nearly unprecedented advocacy effort has been undertaken by dedicated activists representing residents experiencing homelessness, senior citizens, residents with medical conditions, parents, tourists, and everyone who finds themselves in need of a restroom. … A network of public restrooms will help the District catch up to peer cities around the world, provide all people in the District the opportunity to fulfill their basic human needs in a dignified, safe, and sanitary way, and repay the incredible advocacy of our residents in favor of this necessary public resource.“

“The more I talk to people, the more I realize people are constantly finding themselves in a situation where they need to use a bathroom,” said D.C. Council member Brianne K. Nadeau (D-Ward 1), who wrote the legislation to expand public bathrooms. “If you are lucky to buy a $4 coffee, it’s not a problem. But if they can’t, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to go to the bathroom.“

“The lack of access to bathrooms is not merely an inconvenience—it can have devastating health consequences. Dr. Catherine Crossland of Unity Healthcare testified about her patients skipping lifesaving blood pressure, heart and HIV/AIDS medications because they can lead to an urgent need for the restroom.he more I talk to people, the more I realize people are constantly finding themselves in a situation where they need to use a bathroom,” said D.C. Council member Brianne K. Nadeau (D-Ward 1), who wrote the legislation to expand public bathrooms. “If you are lucky to buy a $4 coffee, it’s not a problem. But if they can’t, there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to go to the bathroom.“

“When Councilmember Nadeau told me she wanted to establish a Public Restrooms Task Force, I wanted to add my support,” At-Large Councilmember Robert White Jr. wrote in an e-mail to Street Sense. “It’s a challenge for our homeless and disabled residents, not to forget about our tourists, to find public restrooms. When a homeless person in desperate need of a restroom sees a sign in a business that reads ‘restrooms for patrons only,’ it’s a tough daily reminder of how much we need more public restrooms.”