PHLUSH stands for “Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human” and was formed to address the long-standing problem of where people, homeless and otherwise, can use a bathroom in Portland’s Old Town Chinatown.  Sisters helped found PHLUSH and write their report, released February 2006 - an example of our commitment to systemic change, standing up for each other’s rights, and treating all people with respect and dignity.  The Restroom Implementation Team is currently working to create the public bathrooms that PHLUSH envisioned.  To learn more about PHLUSH’s activities, click here.

This information on PHLUSH’s background is taken from the February 2006 report:

“Availability – or lack of availability –of public toilets in the Old Town Chinatown (OTCT) neighborhood has been an open issue for years. The need for public toilets has consistently shown up on needs lists, in visions plans, and in development requirements for neighborhood projects.

“In early 2005, the OTCT Neighborhood Association invited newly-elected Portland Mayor Tom Potter to visit the neighborhood. In preparation for that visit, the neighborhood prepared three briefing papers on cross-cutting issues affecting all constituents in the local community. One of these issues was the need for community services – especially public toilets. As a result of the ensuing dialogue with Mayor Potter, the neighborhood took on the challenged of engaging this issue of public toilets as a part of a collaborative process with the city. The PHLUSH initiative was launched May 2005 by a dedicated team of OTCT community leaders. This team – made up of local residents, business owners and staff of human services organizations – has focused on raising the quality and substance of this dialogue.

“Quite frankly, this issue is not going to go away. We are indebted to the PHLUSH team for their commitment to moving this issue forward on behalf of the neighborhood and our visitors.”

—-Robert Granger
Board Member, Old Town Chinatown Neighborhood Association
Member, Old Town Chinatown Visions Committee
Board Member, Outreach in Burnside
February 1, 2006


Read the PHLUSH report relased February 2006.

Read about PHLUSH in the Portland Tribune.