University of Brighton to increase the number of gender neutral toilets across university campuses.
Currently, there are only gender neutral toilets at the Grand Parade Main Building, and the Aldrich Library, Moulsecoomb Campus.
The Equality and Diversity Committee, Chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Debra Humphris, recently agreed to more by converting existing single toilet cubicles and some disabled access cubicles to gender neutral facilities. The proposal has been ratified by the University Management Board.
The aim is to have gender neutral toilets available in each building by the end of the Easter vacation, ready for when the students return to campus. Gendered multiple cubicle toilets will still be available alongside the new gender-neutral single cubicles.
Student Services, the Equality and Diversity Unit, the LGBTQ+ Staff Network, the Students’ Union and LGBrighTon, the LGBTQ+ student society are currently developing a communications and awareness-raising strategy about the development of new gender neutral toilets.
Professor Humphris said: “I am delighted we are taking this step forward, to become more inclusive and to building this in to future facilities. Thanks to all concerned for all the work to get us to this decision.”
University plans for the new facilities were recently the subject of a debate on RadioReverb, the non-profit organisation run by volunteers.
Taking part were Dr Nick McGlynn, Research Fellow and lecturer, who sits on the staff LGBT+ group, and Lorcan Bevan, student and LGBTQ officer and trans rep’ with the Students’ Union. Both welcomed the university’s plans.
Lorcan explains in the interview why gender neutral toilets were needed, saying: “They are incredibly important because – personally I have a lot of trouble. I can’t use male or female bathrooms. The female ones don’t feel right for me and the male bathrooms are too intimidating…so I always have to use a disabled bathroom but then if someone tries to open the door I get this intense anxiety, that you have to validate yourself because you don’t look physically disabled…” Lorcan said trans people were suffering abuse, violence and discrimination when they use toilet facilities.
Dr McGlynn said reaction to the university’s plans so far had been positive, adding: “We checked with disabled staff group and they were extremely positive about it so, so far, I think everything has been very good.
“It’s not big changes, the vast majority of people I think will not even notice but, as Lorcan says, this is massively important for a lot of trans people.
“One UK study found that around 50 per cent of trans people avoid using public toilets – 60 per cent of trans* men – and that is often to the point of physical pain. So something has to be done about this and I am really glad we have managed to come together at the university to do this.”
To listen to the full RadioReverb broadcast, click here:
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