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/ (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.
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/ (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.