Missouri State University designates 'gender neutral' bathrooms in Student Union

[Randi]

MSU designates 'gender neutral' bathrooms in Plaster Student Union

http://www.news-leader.com/story/news/education/2016/11/27/msu-designates-gender-neutral-bathrooms-plaster-student-union/94383754/ 

ews Leader/Claudette Riley , CRILEY@NEWS-LEADER.COM 5:30 p.m. CST November 27, 2016

Starting Monday, the restrooms on the top floor of Missouri State University's student union will not be labeled male or female.

Instead, the restrooms on the fourth floor of Plaster Student Union will be "multi-stall gender neutral."

On Nov. 18, large signs placed near the restroom entrances stated the change will "allow anyone, at any time, to use either restroom."

The sign read: "The Plaster Student Union appreciates everyone's understanding , as it reaffirms its commitment to diversity and inclusion of all students and patrons who used this facility."

Restrooms on other floors will remain "assigned gender."

MSU President Clif Smart said this step is part of the university's ongoing effort to make students, staff, faculty and patrons feel welcome while visiting the campus.

"This is not a major change," he said. "We have always had 30-50 gender-neutral bathrooms all across campus. Sometimes they have been referred to as family bathrooms."

The MSU website includes a map showing the types of restrooms available in many of the high traffic buildings including "gendered," "gender-neutral" and "special circumstance." Other details include single or multi-stall options and whether or not the restroom can be locked.

Smart said the single-stall "family" bathrooms have long provided an option for nontraditional students who need to change a diaper, seek privacy to breastfeed or want to take a child, of a different gender, to the restroom.

"We wanted to make sure there are options," he said. "Having multiple bathrooms where both sexes have access is a positive."

Dean of Students Thomas Lane, associate vice president for student life, works on the fourth floor of the union and there are restrooms right outside his office.

He said it made sense to designate the restrooms in the union, since it was a high traffic area for students and others visiting campus.

[Randi]

As a trans person, what do you think of this "Solution"?

Would you prefer to just use the bathroom designated for your gender identity.  i.e.  MTF in the Women's room and FTM in the men's room?

I think it is good to have a restroom where it is impossible for anyone not to belong there, but I worry about ghettoization.

I've got to admit I will have to screw up my courage to use one of these restrooms.  As originally designed there is a water fountain in the middle with men to the left and women to the right. As this pattern is used on the other floors, everyone know which room still has the urinals.

[KathyLauren]

I like the idea of multi-gender washrooms in theory.  If it becomes the widespread cultural norm, that would be a good thing.  However, as things are currently, I would not want to be in the same washroom as men while I am presenting as female.  I'd prefer to use a women's washroom.  Maybe when the risk to trans women is the same as the risk to cis women, I will reconsider.