Transgender bathroom causing a stir for Saskatoon police
August 29, 2012 Updated: August 29, 2012 | 6:14 pm
By Jane Caulfield
Metro Saskatoonhttp://metronews.ca/news/saskatoon/352863/transgender-bathroom-causing-a-stir-for-saskatoon-police/
PHOTO:Supplied. This sign, found in a Hospital in Nova Scotia, caused some controversy in Halifax earlier this year.The new police station will feature a transgender change room in the gymnasium – a suggestion that came from a public consultation hosted by the Saskatoon Police Advisory Committee on Diversity during the buildings initial planning.
Staff Sargent Susan Grant said the vision for the new police station includes creating a safe and inclusive space. A transgender washroom is just one of the many ways they plan on achieving that goal.
"We want this to be a welcoming space," she said.
Grant did say some discussion with the individual who made the suggestion led to the decision to not have transgender specific signage, but instead keep the change room more "family-style" using imagery on the door that represents both male and female.
"It has a dual purpose, but initially came from the idea for a transgender change room," said Grant.
Grant said while there is a universal washroom in the lobby, some individuals may feel marginalized for having to go through the lobby in the first place and a transgender or family-style change room is more inclusive.
Grant did say that a similar considerations have been a theme throughout the planning process.
