Anti-harassment effort focuses on restrooms

[Shana A]

April 1, 2012

Anti-harassment effort focuses on restrooms
Gender-neutral week questions stereotypes

Jacques Von Lunen (Vancouver, Wash.) Columbian

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/apr/01/anti-harassment-effort-focuses-on-restrooms/

When students at a Vancouver, Wash., university campus visit the restroom this week, they'll be thinking about gender roles.

At least that's the hope of the organizers of the first Gender-Neutral Bathroom Week at Washington State University Vancouver.

All this week, 14 of the about 50 restrooms on campus will be open to all who need a potty break, no matter what sex they are or appear to be.

The weeklong campaign is the brainchild of two sociology students, Meredith Williams and Janae Teal.

[Felix]

Gender harassment down the toilet at WSUV

The Columbian
Jacques Von Lunen
http://www.columbian.com/news/2012/mar/31/gender-harassment-down-the-toilet-two-wsuv-student/

To get their message across, the two students have recruited 60 "toilet trainers" -- volunteers who will explain why certain restrooms have laminated signs showing a male and female figure, defuse any confrontations that might arise and direct people uncomfortable with the concept to the nearest single-sex restroom.

In almost all buildings, the traditionally segregated stalls will be one floor away, Teal said.

Following the experiment, students are invited to a meeting to exchange views on how it went. The meeting will be at 5 p.m. April 9 in room 129 of the Dengerink Administration Building.