You may have recently noticed new signage on campus for all gender toilets. Our trans and non-binary community members can find more information about the use of toilets and other facilities in our Gender Identity policy and guidelines. In addition to the provision of gendered toilet spaces, all gender toilets are necessary for the following reasons:
- We have community members who do not identify as men or women. All gender toilets provide facilities which are more appropriate for non-binary staff and students.
- Whilst trans staff and students can use the facilities with which they identify, they may not feel safe to do so.
- These spaces are helpful when people may be early on in understanding their gender identity or may not be fully comfortable or open about their gender identity.
- There are instances where members of our community who don’t identify as trans or non-binary would prefer to use an all gender toilet.
- Some trans people (including trans men and some non-binary people) also need a safe space to change sanitary products.
In addition to this, our SU has an official stance on all gender toilets which states: "all university-managed buildings should have accessible and all gender toilet facilities available which are clean and fit for use."
It is important that while we consider the availability of all gender toilets on campus, this is balanced with the need for continued access to gendered toilet facilities. Ensuring that the current gendered provision for women was not eroded is an important consideration in this ongoing project.
As part of this programme of work, the Student Support team leading on the project consulted with students, academics, Estates, the SU, and Kaleidoscope staff LGBT+ group.
Further to this initial activity, we will be looking at provision of all gender toilets going forward, as well as other all gender facilities such as changing rooms and wet rooms for cyclists.