2 Bills Protecting LGBTQ+ Rights Now Law In Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, RI — Two bills protecting the rights of LGBTQIA+ people in Rhode Island are now law. Gov. Dan McKee ceremonially signed the bills Wednesday.

"I’m proud to sign these two pieces of legislation that will continue to make Rhode Island a more equitable and inclusive state," the governor said. "With this legislation, we’re striving to make Rhode Island a better place – one step at a time."

The first bill requires single-user restrooms in public facilities and spaces to be open to people of all genders. Under the legislation, the state's building code was changed, starting Jan 1, 2022. It also requires that all new construction of state and municipal buildings opened after July 1 of this year have at least one gender-neutral restroom available to the public.

"Gender-specific restrooms can cause a great deal of anxiety for members of the transgender community," said Rep. John G. Edwards, the bill's sponsor. "The reason for that anxiety is the verbal — and sometimes physical — harassment that many of them have experienced ... This is an important step for the state to take in providing for the inclusion of all its residents."

The second piece of legislation changed the definition of sexual orientation related to fair housing practices, eliminating an exemption that allowed discrimination based on gender identity or expression for owner-occupied buildings with three units or fewer.

"Housing discrimination is unacceptable, period," said Rep. Edith Ajello, the house sponsor. "There should be no exceptions, and now, 20 years after we established this protection, it will finally reach as far as it was originally intended."

In 2001, Ajello sponsored the bill that first included discrimination based on gender identity and expression under fair housing laws. At the time, the three-unit-or-less condition was added to ensure passage.

"Fortunately, we have come a long way in the last two decades, and today we recognize that there is no compromise when it comes to discrimination," Ajello continued. "Every person needs and deserves safe housing, and today this law recognizes both that need, and the dignity and rights of all Rhode Islanders."