TIGLFF updates bathroom policy to be trans-inclusive

transgender restroom gender-identity

Tampa – An anti-transgender bill presented in Tallahassee that would limit transgender individuals access to public restrooms has led to a policy change at the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

According to executive director Margaret Murray, TIGLFF will now require any venue used for screenings of its films or any receptions to provide at least one gender neutral restroom.
“We will begin providing gender neutral restrooms immediately, beginning with our upcoming screening of Boy Meets Girl on March 18 at freeFall Theatre, our primary home for our monthly screening series,” Murray said in an email to Watermark. “We are proud to take this step toward equality by creating a discrimination-free environment for our festival attendees, and look forward to identifying and working with venues and organizations who support our transgender friends, family members, and loved ones.”

The policy shift came during TIGLFF’s annual retreat where organizers finalize plans for the annual October festival. Discussions consistently returned to the pending HB583 bill, introduced by Republican State Rep. Frank Artiles.

“This bill unfairly targets the transgender community by requiring them to prove their sexual identity or face arrest, and would undo many of the protections that local municipalities, including Tampa and St. Petersburg, already have in place,” Murray said.

She added that the policy will be voted into place at the organization’s next board meeting.

“We are mindful of the larger issues facing our community and strive to adapt our festival’s programming and events to reflect the social, cultural, and political changes impacting the LGBT community,” Murray added.

TIGLFF celebrates its 26th anniversary this year. For details on monthly screenings and on the annual October festival, visit TIGLFF.com.

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