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Resident asks whether city facilities follow 2018 nondiscrimination ordinance on restroom use; staff says private family rooms available
Summary
A Beachwood resident asked whether the city’s 2018 ordinance banning discrimination based on gender identity allows transgender people to use restrooms or locker rooms that match their identity at the Beachwood Family Aquatic Center; a staff member and police/city administration said the ordinance supports access and pointed to private family changing rooms and promised follow‑up with aquatics staff.
During public comment at the Beachwood City Council’s Aug. 4 special meeting, resident Kyle Fisman asked whether the city’s November 2018 ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or expression allows transgender people to use restrooms and locker rooms in public facilities, specifically asking about the Beachwood Family Aquatic Center.
Fisman said he called the aquatic center and the staff member he reached did not seem to know whether a transgender person could use the restroom or locker room that aligns with their identity. He also said he had emailed the mayor and law director on July 17 and had not received a reply.
Derek Schroeder (department director) and other administration representatives responded that the ordinance language supports such use and that private family changing rooms are available at the aquatic center. Schroeder said the city will follow up with the aquatics staff to clarify procedures and notify the community.
Council President asked that, when specific questions are raised, someone from the administration respond “in a reasonable period of time.” The council did not take formal action; staff said they would follow up with the resident and review the facility’s practices to ensure consistency with the ordinance.
The 2018 ordinance was cited by the speaker as the governing legal reference; the council did not change any policies during the meeting.
