FAQs on all-gender-welcome toilets
All-gender-welcome toilets are toilets that can be used by people of all genders. Many people can benefit from these places, for example parents with children of different genders, people who are cared for by an assistant of another gender, and trans/inter*/non-binary people. We can find non-gendered toilets in many public places, for example on airplanes, trains or even at home.
Going to the toilet is a common need for all people. No one should have to be afraid of being looked down upon or even verbally or physically attacked or expelled from the toilet. All-gender-welcome toilets are safer for trans/inter*/non-binary people than binary-gendered toilets. Trans/inter*/non-binary people often avoid using binary-gendered toilets out of fear or discomfort by drinking little. Both dehydration and compliance can have health consequences.
Are you a father traveling with your two young daughters? You are a woman and your assistant, whose help you need when going to the toilet, is male? An all-gender-welcome toilet allows you and other people to go to the toilet together without any worries. So all-gender-welcome toilets are about entitlement, safety and health protection, they promote equality and are family-friendly.
No. Setting up all-gender-welcome toilets is an opportunity to counter the cis-sexism of our current toilet policies. By cis-sexism, we mean one that specifically targets non-binary and trans people. There will also continue to be women's and men's toilets.
Sexualized assaults are not limited to situations when using the toilet. Universities and other public institutions must ensure that assaults do not occur anywhere. Gendered toilets may lead to the actual problem, sexual violence, being hushed up and also sexualize going to the toilet unnecessarily.
Not all toilets will be converted into all-gender-welcome toilets. There will still be ladies' and men's toilets. All toilets will also be clearly signposted to make it easier for people to find the right toilet for them.
Restroom inequality is nothing new. In the USA, for example, toilets have long been segregated according to racist principles. And even a women's restroom is still not a matter of course: one has only been available in the US House of Representatives near the House of Representatives since 2011, for example.