Construction projects in the G building bathrooms have been ongoing since the beginning of the year. It was previously decided
upon by the district that the multi-stalled bathrooms in G and H building would be redone to be gender neutral. These new facilities will welcome all genders in a combined handwashing space and floor-to-ceiling stalls. While this could possibly help alleviate anxiety for gender non-conforming and transgender students, there are also worries the new bathrooms could also lead to an
increased amount of inappropriate behavior. This month, we are discussing the benefits and challenges that could ensue with having exclusively gender-neutral bathrooms.
In support of the districts’s decision: Gendered labels on G and
H bathrooms should be torn down.
- Transgender and/or gender non-conforming students don’t have
access to gender-neutral restrooms, limiting student comfort.
Before construction, the multi-stall bathrooms were either
specifically designated for men or women. The lack of
representation for others could cause some to feel out of place or
uncomfortable using a bathroom that does not align with their
assigned gender at birth. Nationally, LGBTQ+ children have been
bullied severely for their choice of a bathroom, which can lead to
extreme anxiety. Making facilities gender-neutral could help to
respect students’ gender identities and alleviate stigma. - ICSD’s goals and value systems require inclusivity.
Making all welcome in the space reflects our community culture,
and also the values of the school district. Not only should the
diverse representations of gender be reflected in interpersonal
aspects of the running of a school, but also the physical aspects.
Having all bathrooms, including the multi-stalled facilities gender
neutral is one way this progress towards inclusivity could be
reached.
Disapproval of the districts’s decision: Gendered labels on G
and H bathrooms should be kept.
- There is potential for inappropriate behavior and increased
harassment in shared spaces.
When all genders share the same facilities, there are more
opportunities for sexual misconduct and breaches of privacy.
People who are not educated or respectful about bathroom needs
can make others feel unsafe and uncomfortable. Additionally, the
free menstrual supplies kept in the current girls’ bathrooms could
be destroyed by other people who don’t respect the needs of those
who menstruate. - High schoolers could feel very uncomfortable having to use the
same facilities as people of other genders.
Most children in America have been taught that it is appropriate
for genders to be separated in bathrooms. If this were to be
suddenly changed it could lead to discomfort for people who felt
safer in the old system and now are worried about sexual assault or
harassment in gender-neutral bathrooms.
→ There are several other reasons why one may think the IHS G and H bathrooms should be labeled a certain way. What are your thoughts about “The Labeling of IHS Multi-stalled Bathrooms”? Go to https://bit.ly/CTFeb2023 and tell us where you stand! Votes are collected until February 11, 2023, and results will be released in the March 2023 issue of The Tattler.