Student unions at the University of Manitoba and the University of Regina are pushing for the installation of gender-neutral washrooms on campus for transgendered individuals uncomfortable with choosing between male or female washrooms.
Very few campuses have gender-neutral washrooms and those that do have a minimal amount.
The University of Western Ontario, the University of Victoria and McGill University are all equipped with at least one gender-neutral washroom.
Gender-neutral bathrooms are necessary to ensure the well-being of transgendered students, according to proponents of the idea.
“I think that students have shown an interest in this idea as it could be movement towards the promotion of individual safety and support through being comfortable using the washroom,” said Camilla Tapp, president of the University of Manitoba’s Students’ Union.
The washrooms aim to promote acceptance and allow transgendered students to feel more comfortable when they choose a bathroom, Tapp said.
“We would like to see washrooms which do not necessitate that you identify as male or female, and therefore are a safe and comfortable option for all genders.”
The project isn’t a complicated one, according to its supporters.
“You can just put a ‘washroom’ sign on the door,” Kent Peterson, president of the University of Regina’s Student’s Union, told CTV.
“That’s going to get rid of stigmatization and it’s easy to do. If I had a screwdriver and a sign, I could do it myself,” Peterson said. “I hope we can at least get the university administration on board because it really is as simple as changing a sign.”
There has been concern that installing gender-neutral washrooms might only further alienate transgendered students who are trying to fit in, but Tapp added that the demand is present and the washrooms would be beneficial.
“We have heard from many individuals that believe that gender-neutral washrooms would allow individuals of any sex to feel safe using the washroom without judgment.”
Some Carleton students are on board with the idea and think it’s an initiative that should be started on campus.
“If we make a conscious effort to not be discriminatory towards people for their religion or race, why should gender or sexual orientation be any different?” said Sarah Shaw, a first-year chemistry student.
“I identify as a female and I would use a gender-neutral washroom over the ‘women’s washroom’ any day,” Shaw added.
“It would allow students to not feel pressure in ‘choosing’ a washroom,” said first-year Carleton student Jessica Ferencz.
“Having gender-neutral bathrooms have other benefits as well [for] students with children and students with disabilities [who] would have appropriate space to take care of their needs,” Ferencz said.
Tapp said gender-neutral washrooms probably wouldn’t be implemented in every building, but rather, a “standard” for the new ones.
The reaction from students so far has been encouraging, Tapp said.
“The response that we have received thus far from students is that gender-neutral washrooms would be a positive step towards a more inclusive community on our campus.”
