In 2016, the City of Portland removed the gender-specific designation from over 600 of the single-stall public restrooms.

By simply changing the sign on the door, the City made it clear that all are welcome. Now, anyone can use any single-stall restroom. Whether it is a parent with a small child, an older adult with an attendant, a disabled individual, or a transgender person. Everyone benefits when arbitrary barriers are removed.

Immediately, people told us to make this mandatory for all single-stall restrooms in Portland. But why make a demand when you can simply ask.

Portland’s business community is generous, giving, supportive, and they care about their customers. There is a reason they call Portland home. Not only do we think that the business community will meet us, but they’ll beat us!

So instead of a mandate, we’re issuing a challenge.

We challenge the Portland business community to convert 1,000 single-stall restrooms by the end of 2017. Remove the gender-specific designation from your single-stall restroom, and replace the sign with a sign of your choice. We’ve partnered with ADX to help businesses design and create their own unique, Portland-made All-User restroom sign, which would cost around $40 each. Or you could buy one from any local store. Or you can make one yourself! Then let us know!

Email us a photo of your new sign, along with your business information, and we will display it on www.portlandoregon.gov/alluserchallenge.

This small gesture will cost you nearly nothing, but will mean so much to your customers. We hope you’ll help us.

If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please contact Jamie Dunphy, Policy Advisor to Commissioner Nick Fish at jamie.dunphy@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-3599.