Gender-neutral toilet
A gender-neutral toilet (also known as a unisex toilet or a gender-free toilet) is a public toilet that is available for use by all persons, regardless of their gender identity. The presence of gender-neutral toilets can eliminate problems for many people. A gender neutral toilet may also function as a family restroom or as a restroom for disabled persons.
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[edit] The need for unisex toilets
People who do not conform to the gender binary, such as transgender people, intersex people, and genderqueer people, may face legal issues, harassment, or even violence if they are perceived by others to be using the "wrong" toilet. Transgender people face the additional risk of being outted if they must use the toilet assigned to their biological gender. Intersex people may also face issues when using a gender-specific toilet. For example, a man with Klinefelter syndrome may have a micropenis and breasts, which could lead to a socially awkward or even dangerous situation for him if others are present in the restroom. People who identify as genderqueer may have a personal objection to gender-specific toilets on the grounds that gender-specific toilets are not compatible with their gender identity.
LGBT people are not only people who face issues with gender-specific toilets. Adults accompanying children of the opposite gender to the toilet may face problems as well. Fathers with infants often find that men's restrooms do not have a diaper changing station and fathers may be met with opposition if they attempt to enter a women's restroom. Disabled people who need assistance going to the toilet, such as people who are confined to a wheelchair, may have an aid or a caregiver of the opposite gender.
[edit] Notable examples of unisex toilets
[edit] Canada
In 2008, the University of Western Ontario converted several restrooms for disabled people into gender neutral ones.[1]
From Thursday, February 4, 2010 to Sunday, February 7, 2010, the University of Victoria Students' Society (UVSS) designated all toilets in their student union building gender neutral in order to accommodate the 5th annual Canadian Universities Queer Services Conference (CUQSC).[2] While this decision was temporary, the student union building has two permanent gender neutral toilets, one on the main floor and one on the second floor.[3]
[edit] Thailand
In autumn of 2003, a vocational college in Chiang Mai, Thailand created a gender neutral restroom called the "Pink Lotus" bathroom to accommodate kathoey students. The Pink Lotus bathroom features four stalls. Prior to the decision to create a gender neutral restroom, the college's kathoey students were harrassed by women when using the women's restrooms and by men when using the men's restrooms.[4]
In May of 2008, Kampang High School in northern Thailand made the decision to build a gender neutral toilet to accommodate the school's kathoey students, who make up at least 10% of the student body.[5][6]
[edit] The United Kingdom
In 2008, the University of Bradford Union became the first public body to introduce unisex toilets.[7] The University of Manchester Students' Union (UMSU) introduced unisex toilets shortly after.[8]
In 2009, the Edinburgh University Students' Association designated an already built toilet as a unisex toilet.[9]
In 2011, Aberdeen University created a gender neutral toilet in the main library.[10]
In 2012, a spokesperson for Glasgow University released the statement "We are currently consulting with the Students’ Representative Council and expect to finalise plans to introduce around 10 gender neutral toilets at locations around campus in the course of the current semester."[11] According to the official Facebook page for the Queen Margaret Union, the university made the decision to install gender neutral toilets on their third floor on January 30, 2012.[12]
[edit] The United States of America
In 2011, two high school students named Stephanie Rauda and Emily Hernandez presented a proposal to Ericka Lovrin, the principal of George Washington High School, located in San Francisco, California, to install one gender neutral toilet in the school.[13] As of February 2012, it is unknown whether or not the request was honored.
[edit] See also
- Gender and public toilets
- Legal aspects of transsexualism
- Transitioning
- Intersex
- Gender equality
- Postgenderism
- Disability rights movement
[edit] References
- ^ University students push for gender-neutral washrooms CTV Sunday Oct. 16, 2011
- ^ Pope, Danielle (Feb. 11, 2010). "Bathrooms flush out old preconceptions". The Martlet. http://www.martlet.ca/article/20974-bathrooms-flush-out-old-preconceptions. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
- ^ Pope, Danielle (Feb. 11, 2010). "Bathrooms flush out old preconceptions". The Martlet. http://www.martlet.ca/article/20974-bathrooms-flush-out-old-preconceptions. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
- ^ Tranvestite student loos in the pink The Guardian Friday, June 18, 2004
- ^ Beech, Hannah Where the 'Ladyboys' Are Time Magazine Monday, July 7, 2008
- ^ Head, Jonathan Thai school offers transsexual toilet BBC News Tuesday, July 29. 2008
- ^ A Less Discriminatory Environment: the Concept of Non-Gendered Toilets Canvas Issue 2: Politics of Gender, Volume 2 - November 4, 2010
- ^ A Less Discriminatory Environment: the Concept of Non-Gendered Toilets Canvas Issue 2: Politics of Gender, Volume 2 - November 4, 2010
- ^ McCloskey, Katy Student views sought on unisex toilets STV January 21, 2012
- ^ McCloskey, Katy Student views sought on unisex toilets STV January 21, 2012
- ^ McCloskey, Katy Student views sought on unisex toilets STV January 21, 2012
- ^ [1] Queen Margaret Union on Facebook January 30, 2012
- ^ Rauda, Stephanie We Need Gender Neutral Bathrooms The Eagle September 28, 2011
[edit] External links
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