The first gender-neutral bathroom has opened in the White House after President Barack Obama ’ s executive order banning discrimination on the basis of gender identity came into effect . The all-gender restroom has opened in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building . The facility is the first of its kind at the White House and according to spokesman Jeff Tiller it ’ s something that fits in with the administration ’ s stance on LGBT issues . An all-gender restroom has opened in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in the White House ( pictured is a sign marking the entrance to a restroom at the University of Vermont ) The facility is the first of its kind at the White House and according to spokesman Jeff Tiller it ’ s something that fits in with the administration ’ s stance on LGBT issues . According to The Advocate , he said : ‘ The White House allows staff and guests to use restrooms consistent with their gender identity , which is in keeping with the administration ’ s existing legal guidance on this issue and consistent with what is required by the executive order that took effect today for federal contractors. ’ His comment came after the restroom had been alluded to by senior adviser to the President Valerie Jarrett in an op-ed for the publication about protecting LGBT workers . She said : ‘ We have closely examined our internal policies on everything from benefits , to restroom access , to how we invite people to events , to ensure that everyone who enters this building feels safe and fully respected. ’ On Wednesday President Obama ’ s Executive Order on LGBT Workplace Discrimination went into effect . It protects the rights of the LGBT community while in the employment of federal contractors and subcontractors . The all-gender restroom opened as Obama 's executive order on LGBT workplace discrimination came into effect . Announcing the policy last year , Obama said : ‘ Our government will become just a little bit fairer . ‘ I will sign an executive order that does two things . First , the federal government already prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation . Once I sign this order , the same will be explicitly true for gender identity . ‘ And second , we ’ re going to prohibit all companies that receive a contract from the federal government from discriminating against their LGBT employees . America ’ s federal contracts should not subsidize discrimination against the American people. ’ On Thursday Obama called for an end to psychiatric therapy treatments aimed at changing the sexual orientation or gender identity of gay , lesbian and transgender youth . The move comes in response to an online petition posted on the White House website following the death of 17-year-old Leelah Alcorn . The transgender teen committed suicide in December and left behind a note saying her parents had forced her to attend so-called conversion therapy .
The all-gender restroom opened in Eisenhower Executive Office Building . Facility is first of its kind at White House and is for staff and guests . Comes after executive order on LGBT workplace discrimination took effect .