Cleveland Restaurant Says They Were ‘Bullied’ Into Putting Genders on Their Restrooms | Eater
"A Cleveland restaurant that opened less than a year ago and serves alcohol had been operating with gender-neutral, single-stall restrooms labeled by fixture (urinal/toilet). During an inspection primarily for a new patio, an inspector cited an Ohio requirement that restaurants serving liquor have “two complete restrooms (one for each sex)” and demanded clear M and W gender markers, warning the owner that their liquor license could be at risk—a prospect the owner said would cripple the business and make it impossible to pay staff. The restaurant publicly criticized the demand as bullying on Instagram, saying customers had praised and photographed the gender-neutral bathrooms for safety and shorter waits; the Ohio Department of Commerce later said the permit was never in danger, and after national attention the Superintendent of Liquor Control called to resolve a misunderstanding and the painted M and W markings were removed. The owner says the business will comply with the law as written while fighting the requirement behind the scenes and will not enforce gendered usage of facilities." - Madeleine Davies
