Motion 2018-08, Sea-Tac Gender-Inclusive Restroom Plan Development Page 1 of 3

MOTION 2018-08:

A MOTION OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION

to develop a Seattle-Tacoma International Airport gender-

inclusive restroom plan.

ADOPTED

MAY 22, 2018

INTRODUCTION

The Port of Seattle is committed to leveraging its role as an international gateway and county-

wide government to maximize the safety, inclusion, and welcoming of all members of our

community. We strive to protect the rights and uphold equity for all King County residents and

provide fair and equal access to services, benefits, and opportunities.

TEXT OF THE MOTION

The commission hereby directs port staff to develop a plan to ensure that all existing and future

single-occupant restrooms at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac), beyond meeting

the requirements set by the Washington State Building Code (WSBC), are designated for use by

any person, regardless of sex or gender identity,

and that appropriate signage is used to

indicate this fact. The plan will be due to commission by September 30, 2018.

A temporary Port working group shall be established to develop recommendations on future

restroom design and gender-inclusive signage. The working group will produce a final report

that includes recommended design and signage, timelines, costs, alternatives, and implications

considered. The working group will include, but not be limited to, representatives from the

following: the Aviation team such as Aviation Operations, Capital Programs, Aviation Project

Management Group, Aviation Facilities and Infrastructure, Airport Building Department, and

Aviation Customer Service Department; Development and Diversity Council; Capital

Development; Public Affairs; and Employee Resource Groups. The working group shall also seek

input from community stakeholders.

Gender identity means a person’s gender-related identity, appearance, or expression, whether or not

traditionally associated with one’s biological sex or one’s sex at birth, and includes a person’s attitudes,

preferences, beliefs, and practices pertaining thereto.

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In addition, the commission directs port staff to explore whether this requirement can be

applied to all existing and future single-occupant restrooms at all port facilities and be referred

to a commission committee for future policy development consideration.

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION

The port is committed to being a more equitable, inclusive, and diverse organization. The port

recognizes equity as an integral part of policy, processes, and programs that are woven into all

daily activities within the port and the community we serve. This effort is critical to:

 The core values of the organization

 Pursuing our mission and the Century Agenda

 Attracting and retaining talent with shared values

 Improving the quality of work-life integration

 Sustaining an environment that treats people and communities fairly and equitably

Restrooms are often the first and last impression of the facility to the traveling public and

frequently identified as the single most important amenity to influence the passenger

experience. As the operator of Sea-Tac, the port recognizes that all persons and groups of

people should have access to restrooms and other gender-specific facilities, regardless of sex,

gender identity, ability, or parental status.

All restrooms at port facilities are designed to meet the current International Building Code and

the WSBC. The WSBC sets minimum thresholds for male, female, and family restrooms,

quantity of fixtures required, and required signage. Today, the WSBC does not include

specifications and/or guidelines for gender-inclusive restrooms.

Gender-inclusive restrooms are facilities that anyone can use regardless of gender. They can be

single or multi-stall. Gender-inclusive restrooms benefit a variety of people, including

transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Gender-inclusive restrooms create a safe

space for employees and community members to use the restroom.

Restrooms accommodate a basic need for all passengers. Despite existing protections on the

basis of gender identity, transgender and gender nonconforming people often experience

harassment, intimidation, refusal of access, and in some cases, violence, when trying to use

public restrooms and other gender-specific facilities consistent with their gender identities.

These experiences sometimes lead to significant health problems and contribute to emotional

stress from having to avoid using public restrooms.

In August 2015, the City of Seattle adopted All-Gender Restroom Ordinance No. 124829. The

ordinance applies to existing and newly-built city facilities, as well as in public places in Seattle.

It allows use of single-occupant restrooms by any person, regardless of sex or gender identity,

and prevents those restrooms from being restricted to a specific sex or gender identity. Single-

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occupant restroom facilities without appropriate signage already in place will require new signs

to be posted.

In 2017, a community member reached out to Port Commissioner Stephanie Bowman and

asked whether the port would consider gender-inclusive restroom signage at Sea-Tac. In

response, the port replaced existing family restroom signage at Sea-Tac with new signage that

indicates the restroom is available for use by all people and families. The port aviation staff

worked with the port’s Development and Diversity Council and the Airport Building Department

to develop signage that meets WSBC requirements. In 2018, leaders from the local transgender

community met with Port Commissioner Courtney Gregoire to discuss a range of topics

including the revised restroom signage.

Sea-Tac is one of the fastest growing airports in the nation with one of the smallest operational

footprint. Demand for Sea-Tac has increased 41 percent over the last five years, rising from

33.2 million passengers in 2012 to 46.9 million passengers in 2017 making Sea-Tac the 9th

busiest airport in the country. In January 2018, our economic impact study found that Sea-Tac

supports $22.5 billion in economic activity and 151,000 jobs.

This growth means the port must build and renovate to accommodate the traffic and travelers

that are coming right now and in the future. To do that, the port has invested $3 billion in

capital projects from expanding and renovating the North Satellite to building a much-needed

new International Arrivals Facility and a new highly efficient baggage system. The port

recognizes that space at Sea-Tac is at a premium and there is opportunity cost associated with

building facilities.