The National Debate Over Gender-Neutral Bathrooms

Gender-neutral bathroom sign at the Seattle technology conference Moz Con. Image Credit: Sean Hopwood.

Should bathrooms in public facilities still be segregated by gender? This is the controversial question that has stirred heated reactions by parties on both sides of the debate as members of the transgender community look to gain acceptance and visibility for themselves in society.

The vast majority of people go to the bathroom in a public facility without a second thought. Yet the situation is more complicated for trans people, who have to choose between using a space that either matches their gender identity or their biological gender. In making their decision, trans people face a higher risk for harassment, discrimination and even assault.

Societal Reactions to the Issue

Liberally minded businesses and public institutions, including universities and school districts, are creating gender-neutral bathroom spaces out of concern for trans people who have endured violence and harassment as they seek to express their gender identity.

The issue incenses many: more than one million people in the US recently signed a petition to boycott the retail store Target after it announced it would establish gender neutral bathrooms and fitting rooms in each of its stores by early next year.

In standing up against Target’s new bathroom policy, petition organizers the American Family Alliance view themselves as protecting girls and women from sexual predators who, they claim, would take advantage of the gender-neutral space to gain easier access to victims.

Already, 17 states have responded to the issue and are mulling legislation this year that restricts access to gender-segregated locker rooms and restrooms on the basis of biological gender, the National Conference of State Legislatures indicates.

As yet, North Carolina has been the only American state to actually go through with passing a “bathroom bill” that forces trans people to use public restrooms according to their biological sex.

Supporters of gender-neutral bathroom spaces contend the policy would benefit not only transgender individuals but a number of constituencies, such as the parents of opposite-sex children, adult caregivers of opposite-sex senior citizens, Muslims who carry out ritual ablutions and women who typically wait longer for public restroom use.

In a nod to helping these constituencies, popular internationally localized mobile app Refuge Restrooms allows users to find gender-neutral bathrooms within a geographical radius around them.

The Data on the Issue

Trans people report sexual assault, harassment or other forms of physical violence when they are made to use a gender-segregated bathroom, particularly in schools. A Williams Institute survey found that 68 percent of trans participants claimed to have experienced homophobic taunts as they were using a public restroom. Nine percent claimed being the victims of actual physical violence.

The stress resulting from having to access public restrooms exacerbates feelings of isolation, depression and segregation among those of the trans community, notes the Williams Institute survey. The population is already sensitive to suicidal feelings with 46 percent of men and 42 of women reporting they have tried to take their own life.

Advocates of gender-neutral bathrooms state the issue has to do with preserving the mental health of trans people. Critics of the policy point out that changing gender-segregated bathroom norms is asking too much in light of the fact that only a tiny percentage of American society, that is, 700,000 people, are officially trans, the latest data indicates.

One thing is certain: the gender-neutral bathroom issue will not go away any time soon and is set to continue riling emotions in America.