Religion

rug

(82,333 posts) Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:15 AM Apr 2016

Religious Group Sues San Francisco Over Open-Air Urinal

FILE - In this Jan. 28, 2016 file photo, passengers who exited a San Francisco MUNI streetcar walk past an outdoor urinal across from Dolores Park in San Francisco. A religious organization is suing the city San Francisco to remove the open-air urinal it calls unsanitary and offensive to the senses from a popular park. The San Francisco Chinese Christian Union filed a civil complaint on Thursday, April 14, 2016, demanding the city remove the concrete circular urinal from the iconic Dolores Park. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
SAN FRANCISCO — Apr 19, 2016, 2:35 AM ET

A religious organization has filed a lawsuit against the city of San Francisco to remove an open-air urinal it calls unsanitary and indecent from a popular park.

The Chinese Christian Union of San Francisco filed a civil complaint last week demanding the city remove the concrete circular urinal from the iconic Dolores Park.

The group says the urinal, which is out in the open and screened only with plants for privacy, "emanates offensive odors," ''has no hand-washing facilities" and "it's offensive to manners and morals."

The lawsuit further alleges that the facility installed in February discriminates against women and the disabled and exposes those who use it to "shame and embarrassment."

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/religious-group-sues-san-francisco-open-air-urinal-38498521

26 replies

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Religious Group Sues San Francisco Over Open-Air Urinal (Original Post) rug Apr 2016 OP

This message was self-deleted by its author CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #1

That's right to the point. rug Apr 2016 #2

Huh? The same people would be complaint about ghostsinthemachine Apr 2016 #3

It discriminates against women! In_The_Wind Apr 2016 #4

That wouldn't stop Skittles. rug Apr 2016 #6

It requires a certain bit of finesse. In_The_Wind Apr 2016 #8

Well, at least there is a barrier protecting the riders from a "full frontal". That jonno99 Apr 2016 #5

The walls curve too in case one loses control. rug Apr 2016 #7

It is a curious thing though. I wonder how this skirts the prohibition against publicly "exposing" jonno99 Apr 2016 #9

This message was self-deleted by its author CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #10

Do you think a little "pee on the sole" would be a sufficient deterrent for the determined flasher? jonno99 Apr 2016 #12

This message was self-deleted by its author CompanyFirstSergeant Apr 2016 #13

How hard would it be to build a four foot high enclosure? SheilaT Apr 2016 #11

Never need? Not so. Trust me. No Vested Interest Apr 2016 #15

Oooh, I'be been pregnant. SheilaT Apr 2016 #17

They had these in Amsterdam when I was there Goblinmonger Apr 2016 #14

Looks like they're voting! KansDem Apr 2016 #26

No leg to stand on Cartoonist Apr 2016 #16

I don't know. What law is being violated when some guy p!sses on the jonno99 Apr 2016 #18

Not the same thing Cartoonist Apr 2016 #19

I applaud your defense of free-standing urination in public spaces. rug Apr 2016 #20

The answer lies within your question: rest ROOM... jonno99 Apr 2016 #21

I bet if there was a cross on it the outrage would commence. rug Apr 2016 #22

No doubt. I can always count on you for a chuckle - thanks. nt jonno99 Apr 2016 #23

Get over it Cartoonist Apr 2016 #24

I agree. I would rather they petition the appropriate legislative body. nt jonno99 Apr 2016 #25

Response to rug (Original post)

CompanyFirstSergeant This message was self-deleted by its author.

rug

(82,333 posts)

2. That's right to the point.

Reply to CompanyFirstSergeant (Reply #1)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:19 AM

Apr 2016

ghostsinthemachine

(3,569 posts)

3. Huh? The same people would be complaint about

Reply to rug (Original post)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:19 AM

Apr 2016

The urine smell or if replaced with a regular bathroom, the cost or the poor maintenance. Can't win.

In_The_Wind

(72,300 posts)

4. It discriminates against women!

Reply to rug (Original post)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:20 AM

Apr 2016

Yes, indeed.

rug

(82,333 posts)

6. That wouldn't stop Skittles.

Reply to In_The_Wind (Reply #4)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:28 AM

Apr 2016

In_The_Wind

(72,300 posts)

8. It requires a certain bit of finesse.

Reply to rug (Reply #6)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:35 AM

Apr 2016

Avoiding the splash is easier with privacy.[img][/img]

I'm certain that Skittles can handle it.

jonno99

(2,620 posts)

5. Well, at least there is a barrier protecting the riders from a "full frontal". That

Reply to rug (Original post)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:25 AM

Apr 2016

was thoughtful...

rug

(82,333 posts)

7. The walls curve too in case one loses control.

Reply to jonno99 (Reply #5)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:30 AM

Apr 2016

jonno99

(2,620 posts)

9. It is a curious thing though. I wonder how this skirts the prohibition against publicly "exposing"

Reply to rug (Reply #7)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:39 AM

Apr 2016

yourself? Will existing laws be amended to allow for such exposure - as long as one is standing within an approved concrete circle?

And then of course there is the whole other problem of the "angle of attack". What if a person decides not to face the barrier, but rather faces the pedestrian/sidewalk traffic?

It seems to me that this is a "flashers" dream come true...

Response to jonno99 (Reply #9)

CompanyFirstSergeant This message was self-deleted by its author.

jonno99

(2,620 posts)

12. Do you think a little "pee on the sole" would be a sufficient deterrent for the determined flasher?

Reply to CompanyFirstSergeant (Reply #10)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 12:07 PM

Apr 2016

Response to jonno99 (Reply #12)

CompanyFirstSergeant This message was self-deleted by its author.

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

11. How hard would it be to build a four foot high enclosure?

Reply to rug (Original post)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:55 AM

Apr 2016

And It would be at best tricky for a woman to use. Maybe women are mysterious creatures who never need to urinate?

No Vested Interest

(5,167 posts)

15. Never need? Not so. Trust me.

Reply to SheilaT (Reply #11)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 01:50 PM

Apr 2016

Think about very pregnant women - very needy.

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)

17. Oooh, I'be been pregnant.

Reply to No Vested Interest (Reply #15)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:32 PM

Apr 2016

As you apparently know, we need to pee very often.

Goblinmonger

(22,340 posts)

14. They had these in Amsterdam when I was there

Reply to rug (Original post)

Tue Apr 19, 2016, 12:14 PM

Apr 2016

Doesn't help women that much, but is a little more private than the OP. From what I heard, they installed them because people would just piss wherever and this stopped piss coated streets.