Public toilets: Difference between revisions
Added a section about restroom signs
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*[http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2010/09/02/guest-post-go-where-sex-gender-and-toilets/ ''Go Where?''] is an article on the gendering of public toilets, looking into the visual symbols and what they say about language and public perception of gender. | *[http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2010/09/02/guest-post-go-where-sex-gender-and-toilets/ ''Go Where?''] is an article on the gendering of public toilets, looking into the visual symbols and what they say about language and public perception of gender. | ||
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041209235158/http://www.chaparraltree.com/raq/rename.shtml "Renaming the bathrooms: A cruel trick for queer ends,"] by [[androgyne]] Raphael Carter regarding a practical joke about signs on restroom doors, providing some levity about these issues. | *[https://web.archive.org/web/20041209235158/http://www.chaparraltree.com/raq/rename.shtml "Renaming the bathrooms: A cruel trick for queer ends,"] by [[androgyne]] Raphael Carter regarding a practical joke about signs on restroom doors, providing some levity about these issues. | ||
==Advocating for gender-neutral restrooms== | |||
There has long been a common misconception that having separate restrooms for men and women helps prevent assault. However, facts don't support this assumption. For preventing assault, a single-occupancy restroom is more effective. There is no reason for a single-occupancy restroom to be only for a certain gender. A gender-neutral, single-occupancy restroom makes public places safer for everyone.<ref name="trans bodies 576" /> | |||
Most public places only offer baby changing tables in the women's room, which can be a problem for fathers, and any other caretaker who feels out of place in a women's room. Caretakers of babies, children, or other dependents also want gender-neutral, single-occupancy restrooms. People who have disabilities want accessible, single-occupancy restrooms, too. Transgender and gender nonconforming people can unite with these groups to organize and advocate for these improved public restrooms more effectively.<ref name="trans bodies 473">Laura Erickson-Schroth, ed. ''Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource for the Transgender Community.'' Oxford University Press, 2014. P. 473.</ref> | |||
These are some resources for people who want there to be gender-neutral restrooms in public places. | |||
* Transgender Law Center. (2005). ''Peeing in peace: A resource guide for transgender activists and allies.'' http://transgenderlawcenter.org/issues/public-accomodations/peeing-in-peace | |||
* Sylvia Rivera Law Project (Producer) & Mateik, T. (Director). (2003). ''Toilet training: Law and order in the bathroom'' (DVD). United States: Silvia Rivera Law Project. | |||
==Finding gender-neutral restrooms== | ==Finding gender-neutral restrooms== | ||
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*[http://safe2pee.org/ Safe2pee] is a crowdsourced world map of public toilets that are genderfree and/or accessible. There is an iPhone app that uses the information so that you can find places when you're out and about, called [http://transquat.tumblr.com/ Transquat.] | *[http://safe2pee.org/ Safe2pee] is a crowdsourced world map of public toilets that are genderfree and/or accessible. There is an iPhone app that uses the information so that you can find places when you're out and about, called [http://transquat.tumblr.com/ Transquat.] | ||
== | ==Restroom signs== | ||
In some public places, where the facilities are already adequate, something as simple as the signs on the restroom doors can make a difference in whether people feel safer there. Some kinds of signs are more effective at this, and others make matters worse. | |||
These kinds of signs have disadvantages: | |||
* '''"Family restroom" signs''' can be seen as excluding people who are not being a caretaker of babies, children, or other dependents at that moment. Sometimes people who are by themselves get told they are not allowed to use them. | |||
* '''Toilet/urinal signs''' can still be used to single out people who are expected to be able to pee standing up. | |||
* '''Humorous restroom signs''' can seem cute at first, but they can be in bad taste. They can act as a conversation-starter that make people feel uncomfortable. | |||
These are some | These are some examples of different kinds of inclusive restroom signs. | ||
<gallery> | |||
File:All gender restroom sign San Diego airport.jpg|"All gender restroom" | |||
File:All gender restroom sign.jpg|Trans symbol and wheelchair | |||
File:Unisex Toilet.jpeg|"Unisex toilet and baby change" | |||
</gallery> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Changing rooms]] | * [[Changing rooms]] | ||
* [[Swimming pools]] | * [[Swimming pools]] | ||
* [[Locker rooms]] | |||
* [[Practical resources]] | * [[Practical resources]] | ||
[[Category:Recognition]] | [[Category:Recognition]] | ||