Gender Neutral Toilet Report 2016

Gender Neutral Toilet Report 2016

Introduction
As the representative body of students at UCLan, the Students’ Union was invited to conduct some student consultation regarding the provision of Gender Neutral toilets on campus. This consultation has been led by Lucy Haigh, Campaigns Officer.

The consultation took place from October 2015 to December 2015 with 100students from across the university taking part in a series of focus groups, online discussion groups and one to one interviews.There were 4 focus groups organised with 10 people in each; key volunteers in the Students’ Union were in attendance along with a random sample of disengaged students. Key trends within the focus groups were concernedwith equality especially with being recognised as a growing community with different needs to the rest of the LGB community; safety on campus; and the university conveniently changing facilities already in place to suit such as disabled toilets.

The University of Central Lancashire(UCLan) states it welcomes diversity and encourages participation in higher education for all who can benefit from it. As a university with a student body of up to 28, 000 students it is undeniable of its diversity and with this comes the need to support students appropriately depending on their needs. The Equality and Diversity policy states that the university ‘will challenge and not accept unfair discrimination or discriminatory behaviour particularly where it is based on…gender reassignment’, however it could be suggested that UCLan itself as an organisation has not taken the necessary steps to ensure it is inclusive to those individuals that do not gender define.

In 2014, UCLan was recognised by Stonewall as being amongst the most ‘gay friendly’ universities in the country however this does not take into account transgender students or the facilities provided for those individuals. UCLan must put in place provisions to demonstrate that trans* and non-gender defining individualsare welcome on campus, and that this is a safe environment for them.

‘I want my trans* friends to feel safe’.(Respondent 2, Group 1)

Gender Neutral toilets (GNTs) are facilities which do not have gendered signage and do not require the person using them to define into a gender. Their purpose is for anyone to use them with the intention to allow trans*, gender fluid and non-binary individuals to feel comfortable. GNTs are not a new phenomenon with universities such as Bath, Sussex, Bradford and Oxford having already installed them; the University of Manchester Students’ Union passed a policy back in 2008.

‘Isn’t it obvious? We just need them. Other institutions have them so why don’t we? Students should be able toexpress themselves’. (Respondent 7, Group 1)

There has undoubtedly been an increase in the number of students and staffthat identify as transgender; GNTs are simply becoming a way to demonstrate gender equality and meet the needs of all. Furthermore it is a way to educate others around gender issues and hopefully change attitudes. It has even been viewed that universities should not be denying Trans* students, staff or visitors the right of GNTs.The Students’ Union in its last democratic review specifically created a representative role for a Transgender student in recognition of the growing trans* community on campus.

Background

To provide context, in 2011 UCLan Students’ Union passed a motion at the Annual Members Meeting and at Students’ Council to make provision for gender neutral toilets within the Students’ Union building. Following discussions with the University in 2012 it was suggested that the female toilets on the ground floor of the Students’ Union would be converted into gender neutral toilets. Unfortunately, this conversion has not happened and there have been no GNTs installed on campus or provisions put in place to see this happen.

‘I find it insulting that it’s so hard to get a unisex toilet on campus. It’s such a simple thing that is wanted on campus’. (Respondent 8, Group 4)

‘I thought University was a place of acceptance and expression? We need to get with the times and prove this by supporting students who might be different. A toilet for you might not seem a lot, but to some students it is’. (Respondent 1, Group 4)

Over the past three years, the LGBT* student body especially, have continuously pushed the Students’ Union and Union officers to lobby the university to provide Gender Neutral Toilets on campus. More recently these students have expressed a clear desire to see facilities installed as part of the masterplan. Currently many trans* students feel the need to avoid the toilets due to a fear of what may happen and regularly avoid going to the toilet whilst on campus. It was described as a mental battle of which toilet to choose and that for those in the early stages of being trans* risked mental health problems and a lack of acceptance. University for most students is difficult enough, but for those who are trans* it can be even more stressful without worrying about going to the toilet.

I don’t use the toilets here on campus; I avoid them. I drive back to Blackpool after class to use mine at home’. (Respondent 5, Group 1)

Currently it would appear that the disabled toilets have been made into GNTs or accessible toilets however it is felt disabled students are being penalised and that although it is a good interim idea, students feel uncomfortable using them.It has also be viewed as a convenient and cheap way for the university to demonstrate they understand the need for GNTs.

Additionally, GNTs can help a wider range of students such as parents with different gender children, disabled individuals with different gendered carers and non-trans men who use disposable sanitary products such as incontinence pads (men’s toilets do not usually have sanitary waste bins).

Proposal

One gender neutral toilet to be built into all new buildings being constructed as part of the masterplan development.

The masterplan opens up a lot of opportunity to implement gender neutral toilets across campus; incorporating them into new builds will add no extra cost and make the building more usable for wide sections of the student body. By no means have students expressed for all toilets to be gender neutral but potentially for a toilet within each new building to be gender neutral.

Students have also stated the need for floor to ceiling cubicles following models seen at other universities and that an explanation somewhere within the toilet is essential. It is clear that educating others is a big part of the facilities as well as their main use. The University of Manchester have in collaboration with their Students’ Union worked to put gender neutral toilets within their Union building and more widely outside Higher Education the provision for GNTs are becoming commonplace. The University of Bristol and University of Derby have put in place signs within their GNT’s outlining what they are and why they are necessary.

Having gender specific toilets available is important to deal with a few issues such as toilets being a safe space for women and men; some students, staff and visitors may feel uncomfortable using GNTs and as such there should always be the choice available.It has also been raised that female Muslims may need to redo their hajib and that it is inappropriate to do so in a GNT in front of men.Furthermore, gender specific toilets are a norm within society and it is understandable that it may be misunderstood especially by older staff and students, therefore having the choice available will ensure everyone is comfortable.

‘I understand the need for them but it shouldn’t be at the extent of everyone else. There should be the option’. (Respondent 5, Group 3)
‘Why should accept the fact there are students in fear of using a toilet? Living like that everyday must be awful. We should do what we can to make them feel comfortable and safe’. (Respondent 10, Group 2)

Conclusion

It is important that UCLan are responding to the needs of their students by being progressive, inclusive and open to change. With such a large diverse student body here in Preston it is important that liberation is embraced and we recognise minority groups. LGB appears to be a highly recognised group of students but Trans* is still somewhat over shadowed and forgotten.

‘What kind of message does it send out if a university of all places says "You must fit in to either box X or box Y" with no flexibility? I'd like to think UCLan is better than that’. (Respondent 3, Group 4)

GNTs are an unfamiliar concept to many individuals and therefore it is essential that information is conveyed to students and staff as to why they are important. Crucially, we at the Students’ Union understand that every student on campus should feel comfortable which is why keeping the options available is vital so that there is still a choice.

The Students’ Union would be keen to work with the university on developing a timescale for implementation of GNTs in both new and existing facilities and would be happy to undertake any further consultation required to ensure this important issue is resolved.

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