The Flushies
FAQ

The Flushies is an annual awards program created by Throne to recognize the individuals, cities, agencies, and organizations expanding access to public restrooms — and by extension, to community life itself.

When a restroom isn't available, safe, or accessible, people leave. They leave the park, skip the event, or stay home entirely. The Flushies spotlight the leaders making it possible for everyone to stay, participate, and belong.

Lack of restroom access disproportionately affects people with disabilities, people with chronic gastrointestinal illness, frontline and mobile workers, transit operators, caregivers, families, older adults, and unhoused community members.

Despite the impact, this work is often invisible and under-recognized. The Flushies bring visibility, credibility, and momentum to solutions that protect dignity and improve daily life.

The Flushies are organized by Throne, in partnership with leading organizations in the restroom access, disability rights, public health, and advocacy spaces. Throne convenes the program, but partners and winners are centered throughout.

No in-person ceremony — winners receive a physical trophy or plaque and a digital press kit they can use for their own communications and promotions. The announcement is made publicly via press release and digital spotlights.

Anyone! Nominations are open to the public. You don't need to be affiliated with an organization to nominate someone. Community members, advocates, colleagues, and even the nominees themselves are all welcome to submit.

Award recipients may include:

• Cities, counties, and public agencies
• Transit authorities
• Employers supporting their workforce
• Advocacy organizations and individuals
• Innovators improving restroom access or design

Recognition is based on demonstrated impact, including early-stage pilot programs.

Public nominations open on April 20, 2026 and close on May 15, 2026. We recommend submitting early — nominations are reviewed on a rolling basis and a complete, detailed submission always stands out.

Yes — if you feel a nominee genuinely qualifies for multiple categories, you may submit separate nominations for each. Please tailor each submission to make the case specific to that category rather than submitting the same text twice.

The strongest nominations are specific, evidence-based, and community-focused. Judges look for:

• Concrete actions — programs, policies, designs, or campaigns with real-world results
• Demonstrated impact — who benefited, by how much, and how
• Equity lens — does the work center those most affected by access gaps?
• Replicability — could others learn from or adopt this approach?

Supporting links, data, or quotes from community members can strengthen your submission.

Nominees are not automatically notified when a nomination is submitted. Finalists and winners will be contacted directly before the public announcement on June 2, 2026.

The 2026 Flushies recognize excellence across six categories:

• Municipality of the Year — The city or county making the boldest investment in public restroom infrastructure
• Transit Excellence — The transit agency ensuring riders can travel with confidence — there and back
• Innovator Award — Breakthrough technology or design that expands who can access public space
• Advocate of the Year — Turning a quiet infrastructure gap into a public conversation and policy priority
• Community Champion — Serving those with the highest barriers — unhoused, disabled, and mobile workers
• Breaking the Taboo — Individuals or organizations normalizing toilet talk for the greater good

One winner is selected per category, for a total of six winners in the inaugural 2026 class. In some cases, honorable mentions may be recognized at the judges' discretion.

The Municipality of the Year award is specifically for cities and counties. Nonprofits and advocacy organizations are better suited for the Community Champion, Advocate of the Year, or Breaking the Taboo categories depending on their work.

Both individuals and organizations are eligible. The Advocate of the Year and Breaking the Taboo categories are particularly well-suited for individual nominees who have driven meaningful change through their personal platform, voice, or leadership.

The judging panel is composed of representatives from The Flushies' partner organizations, including experts in disability rights, public health, transit, urban infrastructure, and community advocacy. Judges are selected for their subject matter expertise and commitment to equity-centered evaluation.

All nominations are evaluated against four core values:

• Dignity — Does this work uphold the right to safe, clean, accessible restrooms for all?
• Equity — Does it center those most affected by access gaps?
• Action — Is recognition grounded in real-world impact, not just intention?
• Respect — Is the work handled with credibility and care?

The judging panel reviews nominations in mid-May 2026. Final selections are made by May 29, 2026, with press kits prepared and winners notified shortly after. The public announcement takes place on June 2, 2026.

No — winners are selected by the judging panel, not by public vote. This ensures selections remain equity-centered and based on demonstrated impact, rather than driven by social media reach or organizational size.

Winners receive:

• A physical Flushy trophy or plaque, mailed directly to them
• A digital press kit with assets, copy, and graphics for their own use
• A dedicated winner spotlight as part of the public announcement
• Recognition across Throne's channels and partner networks

Winners are announced publicly on June 2, 2026 via press release, social media spotlights, and partner amplification. Winners are notified privately in advance of the public announcement.

Yes — previous winners are eligible for future Flushies, including in different categories. As this is the inaugural year, we look forward to building a growing community of recognized leaders over time.