We have been toilet trained! Every time we enter a public washroom, we  are forced to identify our gender as one of two options. If your appearance matches societal stereotypes of man and woman, finding a close, safe washroom probably doesn’t cross your mind.

But what about trans and gender variant people, folks with young children, or those who need the assistance of a personal care worker ? Finding a safe place to pee can be a challenge if not a dangerous and daily struggle.

Did you know? Gender separated washrooms are a relic of the Victorian Era - along with separate entrances for men and women in public buildings and female designated reading rooms in libraries. Happily, we've moved past these strict and oppressive gender norms and men and women have gained the right to read together. In a progressive society, it seems just as silly to continue to uphold the custom of gendered washrooms. The drains don't discriminate; why should we? 

Call on Simon Fraser University to live up to their commitment to diversity, respect, individual safety and freedom from harassment, discrimination, violence, and threats; Call on SFU to

Convert a percentage of multi-stall washrooms to gender inclusive to ensure cross-campus navigability.

Convert all single stall washrooms to gender inclusive washrooms.

Commit to creating gender inclusive washrooms at the design stage of new building development. 

Because every BODY needs to pee.

READ MORE 

On SFU's Response to Violence and Threatening Behaviour Policy: http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/general/gp25.html

 On the politics of Victorian-Era gender segregated washrooms: http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/04/11/sex_segregated_public_restrooms_an_outdated_relic_of_victorian_paternalism.html

IMAGE VIA http://www.thecollegefix.com/post/19829/ ;