Lincoln’s transgender students are asking for one of the two toilets within the Minerva Building to display no gender identification, Catherine McAndrew reports.
Those who feel they don’t fit into the gender identity society experience fear and ridicule when having to use bathroom facilities. This is particularly common for those at the beginning of their transition. This fear stems from society’s lack of understanding of the transgender community.
Alex Hall, founder of the transgender society, who is currently transitioning from female to male, told The Linc what it would mean to him if this proposal was accepted by the university: “I would no longer feel the need to use the disabled toilets because we as a community are not disabled.”
There is support for the proposal, Alex added. “I’ve asked a lot of people about the gender neutral toilets, and everyone’s response so far has thought that it’s a great idea.”
The university’s LGBT society furthers the support for the proposal. Holly Marriot, LGBT officer, said: “It’s a joint campaign being run with the LGBT standing committee. We are in full support of the proposal as we believe it is always important to establish spaces in which people feel safe, whether this be bathrooms or otherwise.”
Alex Hall and the rest of the Transgender Society will be putting forward the proposal to the University in the coming weeks.
[…] at the gathering, Olivia Hill confirmed that plans for a gender neutral toilet on the University campus are racing ahead. Once in place, it will finally provide trans members of our community with a safe […]