State representative sparks social media backlash after calling out restaurant’s gender neutral bathroom

CRANBERRY, Pa. — A state representative in Butler County is getting backlash online over his comments about a gender neutral bathroom at a restaurant on Route 228.

Aaron Bernstine posted a picture of the bathroom sign from Noodles and Company in Cranberry. In his post, he wrote “when there is one of these in a restaurant and I have to try to explain to my 6 year old what it means. After telling him that some people want to be different than what God made them, he said ‘Well, that’s stupid.’” He said he won’t be eating in the restaurant any more.

The post received tons of mixed reaction with more than 500 comments at last check.

Bernstine represents the 10th district for the state’s House of Representatives. That includes parts of Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties.

Channel 11 reached out to Noodles and Company about the sign. They sent a statement:

“At Noodles & Company, we care for all team members, guests and communities we serve, and we want to be sure that everyone feels comfortable and included when visiting with us. To ensure full accessibility to all members of the community, Noodles locations having restrooms with individual stalls will be converted to gender neutral restrooms throughout 2021.”

Local police officer and his wife are confined to a Cancun resort after testing positive for Covid

©2021 Cox Media Group