Lack of Public Bathrooms Harms Trans San Diegans' Health

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Transgender and gender-diverse residents in San Diego are facing serious health issues like urinary tract infections, pelvic-floor damage, and worsening chronic conditions due to the lack of accessible and safe public restrooms in the city. Community members and clinicians say that when public bathrooms are locked, restricted, or feel unsafe, people are forced to limit water intake and avoid using restrooms, leading to preventable medical problems. City officials are starting to address the issue by requiring all-gender restrooms in new buildings, but advocates argue more comprehensive solutions are needed, including increasing the total number of public restrooms, improving maintenance, and ensuring businesses allow emergency bathroom use.

Why it matters

Access to safe and reliable public restrooms is a basic human need, but transgender and gender-diverse individuals often face significant barriers, putting their health at risk. This issue highlights the broader challenges this community faces in finding welcoming public spaces and the importance of inclusive policies and infrastructure to support the wellbeing of marginalized groups.

The details

Recent local reporting has surfaced specific cases of trans San Diegans facing health issues due to lack of bathroom access. Franky Arambula said an apartment pool bathroom he depended on was suddenly restricted, leading to worsening irritable bowel syndrome and a pelvic-floor dysfunction diagnosis. UCSD urogynecologist Cecile Ferrando explained that when people can't access or feel safe using bathrooms, they're less likely to hydrate properly, which can damage bladder and kidney health over time. National data shows that among transgender people who avoided public restrooms, there were higher rates of urinary tract and kidney issues tied to holding urine or severely limiting fluids.

• In July 2024, City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell asked city staff to draft an ordinance requiring all-gender restrooms in new or significantly renovated city buildings.
• State law already mandates that single-stall facilities be gender-neutral, as reported by KPBS.

What they’re saying

What’s next

City officials are starting to move on the issue, with a proposed ordinance to require all-gender restrooms in new or renovated city buildings. However, advocates say more comprehensive solutions are needed, including increasing the total number of public restrooms, improving maintenance, and ensuring businesses allow emergency bathroom use.