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Opinion: Why Isn’t It ‘Free to Pee’ in New York City? 

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Opinion: Why Isn’t It ‘Free to Pee’ in New York City? 

“The lack of public bathrooms is one of the daunting challenges and cruel indignities that unsheltered New Yorkers consistently face as they draw on meager resources to survive life on the streets.”

Gerardo Romo / NYC Council Media Unit.

A September rally calling for the city to open more public bathrooms.

Thirty-four years ago, a group of homeless New Yorkers filed a class-action lawsuit against the city for its failure to provide public bathrooms, citing the continual humiliation and hazards that they were forced to endure because of the lack of bathrooms. Decades later, we still suffer because the city has made little progress in ensuring that all New Yorkers can take care of their basic bodily needs.

As a formerly homeless person living with Crohn’s disease, Will lived in shelters at a time when residents were forced to leave their dorms during the day. Because of this, he didn’t have access to a bathroom and, due to EBT restrictions, couldn’t always purchase an item from a business in exchange for restroom use.

Many people with health conditions like Will are unable to make it to a bathroom in time and are often betrayed by their bodies. Will continuously suffered the embarrassment of explaining to supervisors why he would be late or miss a shift because of a “wardrobe malfunction.” No one should have to experience that kind of indignity—not when there can and should be acceptable options.

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