Holes for all and all for one generic hole

“The Potty Parity Act, a bill to even out toilets at men's and ladies' rooms

By Joe Davidson

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Vivian Y. Bright likes to watch her congressman at work, but she was glad when Rep. Edolphus Towns finally gaveled to a close a hearing on sexual disparity in federal restrooms -- because she had to find one.

"Just now, we experienced it," she said. "We went to the ladies room. There's a line."

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which Towns (D-N.Y.) chairs, heard testimony Wednesday on legislation to develop a more equitable sexual balance in the number of toilets in federal buildings.

Nicknamed the Potty Parity Act, the Towns bill would require the number of toilets available for women to equal or exceed the number of toilets and urinals in men's restrooms. The requirement would apply to future federal building construction and to properties undergoing major renovations.

"I am certain that every woman in this room has frequently experienced the inconvenience, as well as the discomfort, caused by an insufficient number of women's restroom facilities," Towns said to a hearing room nearly filled with his supporters, mostly women, from his Brooklyn district. Bright is president of Towns's Women's Caucus, which had about 90 members at the hearing.

Although potty parity can easily turn into sophomoric humor, it's really a serious matter.

Clothing styles, biology and the need to use stalls are all reasons women need more time, said Rep. Stephen Cohen (D-Tenn.). Waiting too long, he added, can lead to abdominal pain, cystitis and urinary-tract infections.”