Solve the Problem of Gendered Bathrooms?

[karenpayneoregon]

How Do You Solve the Problem of Gendered Bathrooms? This Capitol Hill Brewery May Have an Answer.
by Sydney Brownstone • May 25, 2016

http://www.thestranger.com/slog/2016/05/25/24124386/how-do-you-solve-the-problem-of-gendered-bathrooms-this-capitol-hill-brewery-has-an-answer

The bathrooms at Optimism Brewing Company on Capitol Hill don't have signs instructing people of different genders where they ought to pee. Instead, the brewery has one big restroom without a door, one giant fountain sink, and two rows of private stalls with fixtures divided into two categories: toilets and urinals.
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Great idea yet can see issues ranging from $$$'s to some people not buying into it. But without ideas like this seems society is stuck in limbo here.

Mod Edit: Fixed Format

[Devlyn]

Oh, good lord, yuck! Men, women, and children using the same bathroom?  It would be like, oh, I don't know....being at home? 

Hugs, Devlyn

[mac1]

Oh, good lord, yuck! Men, women, and children using the same bathroom?  It would be like, oh, I don't know....being at home? 

Hugs, Devlyn

Not exactly the same. Each stall is totally private. You can choose to include or exclude your spouse, child, or other from your stall.

karenpayneoregon's example is basically what I have proposed all along.

All public restrooms should be multi-user unisex with secure private stalls and a common wash (and other) area.
That would be the most space and cost efficient solution while providing equal access and security for everybody.

[PrincessButtercup]

Last year, while in Kansas City, we went to a restaurant called BRGR (guess what they specialize in? Also, if you're in the area, I highly recommend the food) where it's a unisex bathroom with floor to ceiling wooden stalls with a solid wooden door - very private stalls. Other than being a bit surprised and thinking I was in the wrong place when I encountered a guy at the sink and then noticing the male & female symbol on the glass wall, it wasn't bad. They don't have urinals, though. And to think, they were doing it long before it was newsworthy.

http://www.pitch.com/food-drink/article/20596822/brgr-kitchen-bar-makes-an-impressive-debut

So long as the stalls are completely private, I don't have an issue with bathroom sharing. When they aren't, then I start questioning how badly I have to go before I enter a public bathroom that's multiple occupancy because I'm a very private person in general and don't like sharing that experience with anyone - male, female, or third gender. Call me weird, but I like to potty in private.

[RobynD]

Oh, good lord, yuck! Men, women, and children using the same bathroom?  It would be like, oh, I don't know....being at home? 

Hugs, Devlyn

This could truly bring about the moral decay of society 


I worked in an office way back in 2000 that both gender suggested bathrooms and one large unisex. The latter got the most use because it was shiny new and seemed to stay cleaner longer. Floor to ceiling stalls and one long sink.

[pt98701]

Isn't this whole bathroom thing an issue because men can't be trusted? If they (we) were certain to behave themselves I don't think anyone would oppose it.

[SarahElizabeth1981]

I think this is a great solution. Especially for smaller establishments as it would make more stalls available to all patrons. Hopefully solutions like this catch on

[Tasha_]

Ummm, this may be be a bad place to post this, maybe not.... but aren't churches more dangerous for children than bathrooms? And, wouldn't it be safer for women and children if men might happen into a bathroom where a predator was taking advantage of a woman/child? I like the unisex idea, one for all, and all for #1 or #2

[zeus33]

Ummm, this may be be a bad place to post this, maybe not.... but aren't churches more dangerous for children than bathrooms? And, wouldn't it be safer for women and children if men might happen into a bathroom where a predator was taking advantage of a woman/child? I like the unisex idea, one for all, and all for #1 or #2

The other issue that none of the conservatives are even mentioning is the fact that unisex bathrooms are sorely needed in many places for people with disabilities or just need assistance. IE elderly parents out with the children or physically handicapped adults that require assistance.

The other issue I hear much about is when there are special cases like this at a school they make separate facilities available for the child, because that's so inclusive and not awkward at all and separate but equal worked out so well before... come on really...

The other hum dinger I heard is "the federal government has no right to dictate to the states in these matters"; this is completely wrong for the simple reason all civil rights legislation has to be federally mandated be accepted in all states. As with any other past civil rights movement it takes ahold in a few states before the federal government has to have a say, they can't deny the person-hood of any citizen and this ends up spreading the inclusive treatment people are entitled to which is what the conservatives are so afraid of. After all if they can't blame trans for moral decay they'd actually have to account for the high levels of income disparity, sexual assaults that go unpunished, the fact that there are children in this country that go to bed hungry and every other form of classicism that is accepted and over looked by a government that is supposed to work for the people.

[mac1]

Ummm, this may be be a bad place to post this, maybe not.... but aren't churches more dangerous for children than bathrooms? And, wouldn't it be safer for women and children if men might happen into a bathroom where a predator was taking advantage of a woman/child? I like the unisex idea, one for all, and all for #1 or #2

I agree that with the potential of having more people in the restroom the danger of a predator harming anybody there would be much less.  A predator, if so possessed, will find a way to accomplish his/her desire especially if fewer people are present.

[Tasha_]

So, even before I knew I was trans, in full man mode, I took my daughter into women's restrooms, I used them when the men's line was too long, and went into them looking for my wife and not only never had any issues, but had small talk with women while doing it. Most just laughed it of or commended me for doing something potentially embarrassing to make my daughter more comfortable. I have never had a negative experience, and.... just sayin.... the men's room is cleaner like 70 percent of the time.

[veritatemfurto]

Oh, good lord, yuck! Men, women, and children using the same bathroom?  It would be like, oh, I don't know....being at home? 

Hugs, Devlyn

Colbert has your answers, Devlyn!
LOL

[SarahElizabeth1981]

lol awesome videos thanks for sharing. interesting point. how much do you really pay attention to who is in the bathroom with you anyway?

[Tasha_]

That guy can be hilarious!!! Seems like not so much lately... still got some good stuff though....

[Janine]

Why do bathrooms allow for multiple people to use them simultaneously in the first place? I know I don't want to hear anyone else pee, and I doubt they want to hear me do it. That's why I love bathrooms with a single toilet. Just peace and quiet while I do my thing...

[RobynD]

Why do bathrooms allow for multiple people to use them simultaneously in the first place? I know I don't want to hear anyone else pee, and I doubt they want to hear me do it. That's why I love bathrooms with a single toilet. Just peace and quiet while I do my thing...

I too like single use ones like they have at Starbucks etc. However logistics and potential lines means you have to have the other options in high traffic areas. Can you imagine trying to do only single use at airports? 

I like the way the Germans do toilets and locker facilities. They treat people like adults.

[Amy Chislett]

They don't have urinals, though.  Call me weird, but I like to potty in private.

This can be considered a waste of water, at least in dry areas.  Agree.

[EmilyMK03]

The thing I dislike about all-gender or unisex bathrooms is that you always end up with men peeing on the toilet seats.  I don't want to have to wipe urine off the toilet seat every time I go to the restroom.   ugh.

[Lady Sarah]

The thing I dislike about all-gender or unisex bathrooms is that you always end up with men peeing on the toilet seats.  I don't want to have to wipe urine off the toilet seat every time I go to the restroom.   ugh.

When I lived in SanFrancisco, I often discovered feces and urine on the women's toilet seats. Trust me. Some women can be nastier than men.

[anjaq]

I personally like gendered bathrooms, but I know that apparently many people are not comfortable with them, so I would be sort of ok if they were to go away. But some things I do like about them:

* Men will not pee standing up into a toilet seat that a woman wants to use to sit down later (or rather - inevitably some "spray" will go around the toilet seat on the floor, making it smelly rather soon)
* Speaking of smell - male urine and poo smell different from womens' - it makes me uncomfortable to smell the male version...
* Women can have a break away from men at a party or in a club
* We can use that room to chat about men, talk about that guy at the bar who was hitting on us without his male friends possibly eavesdropping
* We can fix our Makeup without men waiting impatiently to use the sink to wash hands
* Men do not have to bear wastebins for female hygiene products

Honestly - in a way going to pee is maybe just 70% of what happens at a womans room - or do you really thing girls go to the bathroom in a group or with the best friend because they actually by chance have to go pee at the same time?

So - I do like gendered bathrooms, can't we just use the one that fits best or if none does just pick one? I go to the mens room occasionally at festivals if there is a long line at the womens room - and so do many friends of mine (it never happens the other way around, so I do not worry about men being in the womens room). And parents with their kids do not go into separate rooms if the kid still needs help - they just go into the room that the parent would use. I think maybe Americans in the USA overdo it a bit with the gender segregation by making up laws for this, actually forcing parents with kids of another gender to either break the law or let the kids go in alone.

So if there is no other way, then ok, make unisex bathrooms - I'd not be happy about it but if it makes others more comfortable its an acceptable loss