FLUSHED WITH EMBARRASSMENT: Hoboken’s Bathrooms Still Not Gender Neutral, Despite Mayoral Decree

Remember when the City of Hoboken issued an executive order making all city-owned single occupancy restrooms gender neutral?

Someone should probably remind the City…

Back in April, Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla decreed that all city-owned single-occupancy restrooms would be changed to reflect this change by May 31, 2018—on the eve of June’s LGBT Pride Month.

“This next step is meant to further protect the civil rights and dignity of our transgender, gender non-binary, and queer residents and visitors, but this is just the start,” said Bhalla, at the time. “I will continue to introduce progressive and inclusive policies to protect all residents.”

As of July 17, this has yet to happen.

“Unfortunately, the order has not been implemented in either City Hall or within our park system, where signage still indicates the gender exclusive approach the Mayor’s executive order said would end,” says Councilman Michael DeFusco, in a press release sent out yesterday.

Several Hoboken bathrooms have yet to transition to gender neutral—even those within City Hall itself, according to Councilman Michael DeFusco.

According to Hudson County View, City spokesman Santiago Melli-Huber said that some restrooms had been converted, while the remaining restroom signs are, “in the process of being changed.”

DeFusco says, “I would think somebody like Ravi Bhalla, who has been praised as a progressive leader and who knows what it’s like to feel like an outsider, would stand by his words on this important social issue. Sadly, that’s not the case and he’s proven yet again that he will say whatever he needs to advance his career while important work goes undone.”

Hoboken City Hall Restroom

Hoboken City Hall Restroom