A Chinese Christian group has filed a civil lawsuit over an open air urinal in Dolores Park in San Francisco, calling it a violation of privacy and a cause of embarrassment for women as well as any disabled people who might need to use the facilities.
In the first of lawsuit of its kind, the Chinese Christian Union of San Francisco is pushing to take down the $40,000 pissoir part of the $20 million renovation plan of the city, NBC reported.
The city has already put more than two dozen toilets in Dolores Park to address the city's problem of public urination.
But based on the group's complaint, the "open-air urination hole violates the privacy of those who need to use the restroom but would be required to expose their bodies and suffer shame and degradation of urinating in public view."
The complaint further cited the lack of proper screening and handwashing facilities, as well as its tendency to emanate offensive odors.
Meanwhile, City Attorney Dennis Herrera said he does not understand objections to the European-style pissoir as San Francisco is known for its "counter culture, that embraces and accepts immodest sunbathers, pot brownie vendors, spectacular city views, and famously irreverent 'Hunky Jesus' contest."
"If I had to predict the top 100 things in Dolores Park likely to offend these plaintiffs, I wouldn't have guessed that this would make the cut," Matt Dorsey, city attorney spokesman said.
While this is the first time that a lawsuit was filed against the city for the open air urinal, it follows a letter submitted by the Pacific Justice Institute, a conservative legal defense nonprofit expressing opposition to the urinal prior, CBS reported
"The people of San Francisco deserve a city that wishes to meet the needs of both men and women, and have it done in a manner that is respectful of those who need to use it," institute President Brad Dacus said.
