Hersheypark Stands Up for Transgender Community; Announces Inclusive Bathroom Policy
Hersheypark announced this week that guests visiting the popular amusement park are welcome to use the restroom that matches with their gender identity.
“[Hersheypark] has and will always strive to accommodate all guests and employees – including members of the LGBT community – to ensure those visiting or working at Hersheypark are comfortable and feel secure,” Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company spokeswoman Kathy Burrows said.
An HRC National Corporate Partner, Hershey was listed as one of the Best Places to Work in 2016 based on ratings in HRC Foundation’s 2016 Corporate Equality Index. The Corporate Equality Index is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices pertinent to LGBT employees.
This news comes as lawmakers across the nation are introducing and passing harmful anti-transgender legislation. Today, the Oklahoma legislature introduced an outrageous proposal would force schools to make accommodations for students who purport to have religious objections to sharing a sex-segregated space with transgender students. InNorth Carolina, Governor Pat McCrory is facing extreme backlash after signing a bill into law that forces transgender students in public schools to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity
Currently, eighteen states and the District of Columbia have laws on the books allowing transgender people non-discrimination protections in access to public accommodations and the ability to use the restroom that matches their gender identity, and more than 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies, like Hershey, have adopted similar policies. Multiple fact checkers have found that there have been no recorded examples of public safety incidents stemming from these policies.
HRC thanks Hersheypark for keeping their park and safe place for all visitors- no matter sexual orientation or gender identity.
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