Just a quick and easy question (I think)

[Sir Real]

Hey guys! I'm starting school this Monday and I just realized something reading another thread... BATHROOMS.  I hate how something so simple, taken for granted and necessary is so complicated.  Oh well.  I'm going to an adult high school.  It seems pretty inclusive.  The forms asked if there was a preferred name and had "Other" as an option for gender.  Awesome eh? I was impressed, anyway.  Should I just go ahead and use the men's room or should I talk to the principal or vp about this first? I live in Ontario. I think I pass well enough even though I'm pre-T but of course I could be wrong.  I've been working on my voice and a buddy of mine said it sounds more like a guy's now, though sometimes I have trouble pushing my voice back to my throat/chest or it goes growly.  Maybe none of that matters. 

[Bombadil]

I say  just use the men's room. It's not like you've been attending that school for years as a female and are now switching, right? That's different but if you are just starting there, I don't think you need to explain myself.

[Kyler]

I would just use the men's. I did the same at work and I've never asked anyone in any other building if I could use a certain bathroom, so...

[ferretinafez]

I guess it depends how comfortable you are with it. Do what feels natural. When I was in college everyone knew me so even though I was already using male toilets in public places the staff asked me to use the disabled toilet because it was neutral. I was a little offended at first but I could see why they asked so I just went with it. If you feel like it's best then talk to someone, otherwise go wherever you want to!

[pianoforte]

Yeah, go with your comfort level. Most of the time I was at school I was presenting female, so I tended to use the gender-neutral bathrooms when possible.

Been in the mens a handful of times, though. Hasn't generally been too much of a problem, especially since they tend to be less crowded.

(the one time it was a problem was the day I was wearing a dress to school and wandered into a mens room, thoroughly confusing some poor fellow)

[invisiblemonsters]

i'm gonna just jump in here because i'm in your EXACT situation (and live in ontario too). i go to an adult school to finish up my credits for hs and i went there when i was pre-t. all i did was inform the guidance counselor of my preferred name and she tells my teachers that before i go to a new semester with different teachers. as for the bathrooms, i just use the mens or the handicapped bathrooms (which we all know is gender neutral and the teachers use it). i've never had an issue with it though like my guidance counselor and teachers have seen me go into the mens bathroom and said nothing so you shouldn't have an issue either, at least i hope not.

i think being an adult school, people don't make a big fuss over that kind of stuff because you're an adult. i find it a lot less judgmental and relaxed so i hope you have that same experience.

[AdamMLP]

If you're passing and people aren't going to get told your birthname or anything that would signal that you were anything other than male just go for it. Staff rarely check where people go to the toilet, they assume you know what to do, especially by the time you're an adult!

[katiej]

Hi guys, I'm MTF, but I grew up as a man.  So here's my take:

Mens bathrooms are very different from ladies bathrooms.  Men don't typically talk to each other, and there's virtually no chance of having to stand in a line.  Men get in and out, and many don't even stop to wash their hands.  So you should be fine, and will probably never even be noticed, especially since you say that you pass most of the time.

Just one girl's opinion 

[StevieAK]

Best rule i think is use the rest room you present as, better for everyone.

[jname]

Honestly i don't think anyone will care. Just be yourself and don't even second guess what you are doing walking into the Men's.

[Sir Real]

Thanks for the replies everyone!  I guess that pretty much settles that. I'll just go ahead and use the men's then.  If someone approaches me on it, then so be it but until then I'll go where I'm way more comfortable. 

[jakken]

I would just use the men's bathroom.

[CaptainRossAlexander]

So this is a pretty late reply and probably won't help you in particular, but if anyone comes to read this, my advice would be to talk to your counselor or principal or /somebody/ first. Even if it's just a teacher. Just because the school is accepting doesn't mean the students are and you should make sure someone knows so you have someone to go to if you're experiencing harassment.
Also, some not-so-accepting schools may punish you if you're caught using the bathroom that does not correlate with your sex. This is a crap reason to punish someone and you can choose to fight this in any way you see fit, but it's best to at least be aware of what the school policy is so you don't get blindsided by them.