Claims About Restroom Access Dominate HERO Debate

Joe Gagnon was quoted in the Houston Chronicle on October 15, 2015. The article “Claims About Restroom Access Dominate HERO Debate” discussed how although Houston's 36-page equal rights ordinance makes no mention of public restrooms, access to restrooms has become the focus of a raging public debate with the law set to go before voters on election day.

Joe was quoted on his concern for employers, regarding this issue.

Joe said he views the bathroom protections as an "open issue." Joe stated that under the current ordinance, business owners, managers and employers are best to err on the side of caution. It's not clear under what circumstance an employer or business owner could legally deny someone access to a restroom, he added.

"It's complicated," Joe said. "And the concern I have for employers is that they have little clarity on what constitutes discrimination."

To read the full article, please visit Houston Chronicles.