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Unisex bathrooms – are we all ready for them?
How disappointing it is to find out that views on gender have so far to go, even where we would expect people to have the most enlightened views. Transformal has to be one of the most liberating gatherings of transgender Australia, and we have always offered unisex bathrooms. Removing the need to conform with stereotypical views of gender to use one bathroom or the other should work for everyone. But apparently not.
This year Liz kindly gave me some splendid bathroom signs stating clearly that “The Bathroom may be used by any person regardless of gender identity or expression”.
But my disappointment was finding that someone had added their personal graffiti onto one of the signs during the weekend, adding “But please leave the seat down when finished”.
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This is so wrong on so many fronts I don’t know where to start – particularly since I don’t know the gender expression of the toilet seat neo-nazi.
I can only comment what gives me such offense.
As someone who supports not having to conform with a gender stereotype to use a specific facility, I accept that some people who use the toilet will be more comfortable with the seat up. I’d encourage them to lift the seat to avoid inconveniencing others by leaving yellow stains on the seat.
Then there are those who are aware of the mixed use of the facility and would prefer to squat rather than take chances with the seat cleanliness. And finally we have those who are in for the long haul and are more comfortable sitting.For a unisex toilet to work well without restrictions of who can use it there can be no clear mandate for the seat to be left in a particular position. The person at Transformal who hadn’t thought this through will I hope realise that asserting some sis-female folk law about seat positioning discriminates against others and makes them less comfortable.
This is exactly NOT what should be happening at Transformal
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5 Replies
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I couldn’t agree more with this. What makes it easier for ins person to lift the seat than for someone else to put it down. The whole arguement is rediculous. Whoever left there graffiti on the sign definitely did not think it through.
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I’ve just returned from the high seas of French Polynesia etc. I didn’t disembark, felt more comfortable on the ship. At least the whole exercise was warm compared to Canberra. Oh dear, toilet signs; there’s always someone, small minds. I hope it wasn’t someone from our community, so let’s assume it was an ‘outsider’ with a minuscule brain.
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When this Lady is faced with the option (when the need arises ) of a Unisex or Female toilet I will always use the Female one. In my experience the Unisex ones often have signs of a careless Male having visited the facility, and I wont go into details!!
However they have their place alongside both M and F ( or in between!) and frequently present a a great relief at certain times.I”n defence of the argument that Trans people deserve to be able to use a bathroom matching their gender expression i offer this witty video by Cassie Workman.
http://junkee.com/cassie-workman-bathroom-rights-tonightly/149262
Caroline
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Ah yes, men in public loos. They just lose inhibitions or have some form of neurological spasm or simply, like (some) little boys want to play at firemen. When I needed to use one, public loo, male for the use of, I wish I had brought a bottle of White King and a brush.
The video is brilliant, thanks for sharing. -
Just as a matter of interest, I consider myself a transgender woman (changed all my docs etc etc) and present as a woman 24/7. I actually prefer unisex toilets as (in my mind) I feel safer from angry people that may be watching me visit the toilet (go figure
) . My CIS female wife however can’t stand unisex toilets and she says there is sometimes (usually depending on where they are) a lot more piss sprayed everywhere in them than in female toilets. I have to agree however I still continue to use them if given the choice, just for my own feeling of safety. Also as a bonus they often have a fantastic full length mirror in them which always comes in handy. So I know I’m ready for them and the more the merrier for me. But I notice that in some locations now a row of Unisex toilets are all that is offered and I know that some CIS woman aren’t that happy about that just because of the user cleanliness factor.
