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Iowa High School Opens 2 Gender-Neutral Bathrooms For Students, Staff

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Des Moines public high school has opened two gender-neutral bathrooms for students and staffers.

Theodore Roosevelt High School principal Kevin Biggs said Tuesday that two staff-only, single-toilet bathrooms no longer have symbols for males or females. A sign now on each says "All-gender restroom," and each is available for students and staff members.

Student Zoey Wagner told Des Moines television station KCCI that "gender-neutral bathrooms are essential to students who are transgender."

Des Moines school district spokesman Phil Roeder told The Des Moines Register that the district strives to be "welcoming and accommodating to staff and students." He says district administrators are happy to support school leaders who want to take such steps.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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