Japanese Supreme Court rules in favor of trans employee in landmark bathroom case

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

In a historic decision for trans rights, Japan’s Supreme Court has ruled that a government ministry cannot ban a trans employee from using the women’s restroom at work.

The unanimous ruling came after a 50-something trans woman – who chose to remain anonymous – sued the Economy and Trade Ministry for relegating her to the men’s restroom or a women’s bathroom two floors away. The thinking behind allowing her to use a women’s room on a different floor was that she would not run into her coworkers there. The ministry was reportedly trying to prevent her coworkers from feeling embarrassed.

The court called the restrictions “extremely inappropriate,” as well as an “abuse of power” that was “unjustly neglecting the plaintiff’s inconvenience” while being overly considerate to the other employees (there had reportedly never been a complaint from a coworker).

“All people should have the right to live their lives in society based on their own sexual identities,” said the anonymous plaintiff after securing her victory. “The significance of that should not be reduced to the usage of toilets or public baths.”

“Even if awareness is lacking among the public, the administrative branch must promote understanding and prohibit discrimination,” added her lawyer, Toshimasa Yamashita. “The government now must deal with the workplace environment more appropriately to protect the rights of minorities.”

According to ABC News, this is the court’s first…

Read full story, and more, from Source: Japanese Supreme Court rules in favor of trans employee in landmark bathroom case