The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) finds: “Discrimination against an individual because that person is transgender is discrimination because of sex in violation of Title VII. This is also known as gender identity discrimination” (“EEOC – Sex,” n.d., para. 3). According to Canas and Sondak (2014), many states have adopted laws supporting transgender people as a protected class. Colorado passed legislation extending protections to transgender people in 2008 (Brinker & Maza, 2014). However, one of the biggest controversies surrounding transgender people is which bathroom should they use? Zanin (2009) notes that “bathrooms remain one of the most acceptable gender segregated spaces in cities, which can present problems for those who do not conform to gender norms…” (para. 1). The question, then, is: Should transgender people use the bathroom that most closely reflects their biological gender or the gender with which they identify? While individual beliefs can vary greatly, there is no legal gray area. This article will address the recently decided case in Colorado involving a six-year-old transgender girl, Coy Mathis, and her struggle to use the girls' bathroom at school. In addition to this, the legal issues and implications that employers should be aware of will also be discussed. Historical Perspective Statistically, 0.3-0.5% of individuals in the United States (approximately 700,000 people) identify as transgender, and global estimates provide similar percentages (Gates, 2011). Studies of transgender individuals show that this class of people suffers from unusually high levels of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse, as well as discrimination in housing and employment (Patel, 2013). Patel (20...... middle of paper ...... and transgender. Retrieved from http://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/research/census-lgbt-demographics-studies/how-many-people -are-lesbian-gay-bisexual-e-transgender/#sthash.T75Q6Cll.dpbsPatel, R. (2013) 78 trans murders in 2013, mutilation common. Retrieved from http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/78- trans-murders-2013-mutilation-common170513Bathroom Access Issues (2005). .htmlSex Discrimination (n.d.). November) Some UA bathrooms will be "gender neutral". Safe2Pee? International Journal of Environments, 37-39 Retrieved from https://eds-a-ebscohost-com.csuglobal.idm.oclc.org/ehost.