Gendered bathrooms are entirely a socially constructed concept.
Bathrooms have been historically segregated by gender. This may be to protect one gender from the prying eyes of the other or perhaps because as humans we prefer to put “like with like.” Regardless of the reason, for centuries, this has just been the way of the world.
However, gender neutral bathrooms have been popping up all over the place. Colorado Mesa University (CMU) has an entire section devoted to them on their interactive map key. Almost every single building on campus that students frequently visit has at least one, typically on the first floor.
Generally speaking, gender neutral bathrooms provide the ultimate privacy during an extremely intimate part of the day. They are spacious, don’t see a lot of traffic and always only have one toilet with a door that locks. For those with “stage fright,” these solo bathrooms offer respite. Although I do not have this issue, I like the solitary throne just for the feeling of luxury.
These sanctuaries of stool have also been referred to as “family” bathrooms. The two available in Tomlinson are labeled as such and come equipped with changing tables.
Practically speaking, a gender neutral bathroom is often a necessity for ADA accessibility and compliance. Take for example, a restaurant that has two solo bathrooms but only one of them is ADA compliant. That means regardless of gender, if someone in a wheelchair needs to use the bathroom then they must use the accessible bathroom.
The same goes for the bathrooms on campus, which is why almost all of the gender neutral bathrooms are located on the first floor, incredibly spacious, have automatic doors and locks, tilted mirrors and some have additional railing for support while getting on and off the toilet. Since they can serve all of the disabled students on campus, segregating them by gender would be impractical. The school would have to double the amount they build which means finding space, time and more money.
The world has a growing number of people who don’t identify with the gender binary and its associated norms. Gender neutral bathrooms offer a convenient work-around for what can often be a stressful situation. Normalizing non-gendered bathrooms promotes equity and inclusion.
People might conflate the idea that a non-binary gender identity is in some way a disability because of the overlap. This oversimplification is ignorant and can be harmful. The bathrooms are intended for all people regardless of intersections or the lack thereof. Using a gender neutral bathroom does not automatically strip you of your gender identity nor does it imply that you are disabled.
The National Institute of Health has reported that people with limited access to appropriate restrooms tend to limit their food and water intake or rearrange their entire day around the inevitable act of relieving oneself.
I attempted to visit every single gender neutral bathroom on campus to be able to properly assess them. I found that the listings for Lowell Heiny Hall (LHH) were a little inaccurate. It doesn’t have one on the first floor even though the interactive map says there is.
The bathroom on the second floor was obviously retrofitted from an old women’s bathroom because LHH was definitely built before ADA compliance was mandatory. It was almost too big, eerily big. The map also says there’s one on the third floor attached to a conference room and I couldn’t find it because the room was dark and I didn’t want to intrude.
I couldn’t access another in LHH because it is President Marshall’s private bathroom.
The gender neutral bathroom in Moss didn’t have an automatic door or lights. I imagine it was also a late addition after ADA compliance became compulsory. The University Center only had one tucked away in a back hallway on the second floor. I feel like there could easily have been another added on the first floor during the planning of that building.
Every other classroom building, except Wubben, had gender neutral bathrooms built intentionally. If a dorm was built recently then it is equipped with one and it is on the first floor. My personal favorite is in Escalante Hall. The teal sink really seals the deal.
The interactive map on the CMU website is a great tool for those that want or need to exclusively use these restrooms. Being able to go when nature calls is a privilege many take for granted and the availability of gender neutral bathrooms is an equitable step that benefits everyone.
