Gender-Neutral Restrooms Become the Law

By NBC10.Com Staff and Wire Reports
Monday, Oct 28, 2013

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/LGBT-Gender-Neutral-Restrooms-206932591.html

When Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter signed legislation Thursday to afford equal rights to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, he said he hoped Philadelphia would become "the most LGBT-friendly" city in the world.

One piece of that comprehensive legislation will forever alter the restroom options in city-owned buildings.

The legislation requires that new or renovated city-owned buildings include gender-neutral bathrooms in addition to traditional men's and women's restrooms.

I'm confused. Does this mean trans people will be forced to use the gender neutral bathroom while cis people get to choose?

I personally would not use gender-neutral bathrooms when they exist in addition to traditional m/f bathrooms unless there was a long line and a sense of urgency.  It's nice they do exist, as I think a lot of non-binary people would benefit, as would families with small children.  Sadly, it's probably best they exist for those of us who don't blend in well. 

For me, if I were to use the neutral bathroom I might as well just put on a flashing neon sign that says "I'm trans- look at me!"  I try not to draw attention to myself, as I am quite tall and have a large frame.  I have never once had a problem using the ladies' room, as I am "plausibly female" enough these days to get away with it.  I also would never feel safe again in a mens' room.  I've seen the way GGs often get treated in them, and it churns my stomach. (Now why a GG would want to wade in the overflow in the first place is beyond me.)  Presenting female in a mens room outside of a gayborhood could mean very bad things as well.  I don't go there- ever. 

One thing that happened to me recently was going to the ladies' room after a concert, and while standing in the long line, a woman screamed, "Oh my God, there's a MAN in here! GET THE F OUT or I'm calling the cops you effing pervert!"  Turns out I was not the individual in question.  It was clearly a GG with a binder and a bit of dark unshaven facial hair.  *facepalm*

Perhaps the best thing is just to have a row of individual unisex toilet stalls with sinks and mirrors?  I've seen this setup in recently constructed buildings and it seems to work just fine.

I wouldn't go in there either.

Philly mayor says buildings must have gender-neutral bathrooms
Winnie McCroy, October 31st

Per a new law passed in Philadelphia on Oct. 24, all new or renovated city-owned buildings must now include gender-neutral bathrooms. Mayor Michael Nutter said he hoped that his quest to provide equal rights for LGBTs would making it "the most LGBT-friendly" city in the world.

NBC10 Philadelphia WCAU reports Mayor Nutter said that the comprehensive legislation requires that all new or renovated city-owned buildings must include not only men's and women's restrooms, but also gender-neutral bathrooms, for transgender individuals who are often harassed when using traditional bathrooms.

"It can be an awkward and embarrassing situation" for anyone who may "feel more like a woman, but can't use the women's room," Councilman Jim Kenney, the bill's sponsor, told the local NBC affiliate.

http://www.edgemiami.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=&sc2=news&sc3=&id=151357

Quote"It can be an awkward and embarrassing situation" for anyone who may "feel more like a woman, but can't use the women's room," Councilman Jim Kenney, the bill's sponsor, told the local NBC affiliate.

I read the words but hear that this way cis people don't have to share their bathrooms.


Bad ears/eyes I hope.

Quote from: LordKAT on November 02, 2013, 02:23:41 PM
I read the words but hear that this way cis people don't have to share their bathrooms.


Bad ears/eyes I hope.

This is a tricky situation for me to weigh in on. On the one hand, since I'm still pre HRT, I would definitely be more than happy to use a gender neutral restroom rather than a men's room. I'd just feel more comfortable with the option.

On the other ... especially once I'm on HRT and seriously trying to pass ... separating trans people into a separate rest room screams of situations like this from the early 20th century found most commonly in the united states:



Something about the similarity doesn't sit well with me.

So, I'm torn.

I totally agree. I work in hospitals and once I start my transition the bathroom and locker room situation will be a topic of great apprehensiveness for my since I plan on keeping my job through my transition.

They should just call it a family restroom and be done with it.  I remember using the family bathrooms very early in transition when I was still a bit uncomfortable using the men's room, esp. in crowded venues (ie theme parks).  I don't think they scream TRANS PEOPLE HERE! or anything.  But more for parents with opposite gender kids when they get to that awkward age where they can't quite go alone but are old enough to really not go into the opposite gender bathroom.

Mhmm, my opinion is actually very different, I prefer those gender neutral bathrooms because...

1. I don't have to deal with ANY anxiety of being read while using the toilet at all.  I don't feel any stigma from using these bathrooms either.
2. Privacy and not having to let the person in the stall next door hear you poop :v.

The only negatives imho are that those bathrooms tend to be a bit dirtier and that they aren't as common.  However, this law makes em more common, so yay!

I'm another one who thinks it would be best if it was a "family bathroom".  It doesn't scream trans and also would be useful for parents who they do not feel comfortable enough to let their kids go into the bathroom by themselves.  The downside of course is that with a bunch of kids using it the wait time is longer!

I think this would be a way to sort of divert people off the track that you are trans. Because people would think if you were indeed transgender you would use your designated bathroom. Then again not very many people would use those bathrooms. Less clean up!

I think having uni-sex bathrooms is a great thing for us, but then you have the issues everybody knows about. It's just like everything else, someone is always there to ruin it. But I cant wait to see how Phili does with this!

Quote from: ThatgirlClare on February 09, 2014, 08:54:47 PM
I think having uni-sex bathrooms is a great thing for us, but then you have the issues everybody knows about. It's just like everything else, someone is always there to ruin it. But I cant wait to see how Phili does with this!

I remember when I was in year 2 at school (uk system) we had a "unisex" toilet system, however I got told off for using a sitting down one because I needed a number 2. Apparently it was only acceptable for boys to use the urinal and girls to sit down.

To this day I still don't understand how or why they decided they was in a position to tell me off

I would like to see all public restrooms be multi-user unisex facilities with fully private stalls and no open urinals. That would save space by not requiring female, male, individual or family facilities.

Why should this be a problem?