‘Gender neutral’ toilets will be introduced at an Oxford University college – despite concerns from students that they will threaten women’s safety.
Somerville College has approved a motion in favour of the toilets, just months after striking down a similar proposal.
Signs saying ‘male’ and ‘female’, will be replaced with ‘gender neutral toilets with cubicles’ and ‘gender neutral toilets with urinals’.
‘Wouldn’t feel comfortable’
After the change was initially rejected, a number of students said they did not want the vote to be made public for fear their peers would label them ‘transphobic’.
Students have previously raised concerns that they would feel awkward about sharing a toilet with members of the opposite sex.
One student said: “Many women have had experiences of harassment and would feel uncomfortable with this, probably a higher percentage of people than those who want a gender neutral toilet.”
The motion was put forward by the college’s LGBTQ officer, Eilidh Wilson, who claimed its passing as a “victory for the LGBTQ community of Somerville”.
Rescinded
Last year, the US Government rescinded Obama-era guidance that forced federally-funded schools to endorse transsexualism.
Former President Barack Obama ordered schools to let transsexual pupils use the toilets, changing rooms and showers of their choice, or face serious cuts in funding.
But the Justice and Education departments sent new guidance to schools stating that the previous guidelines did not “undergo any formal public process” and gave “rise to significant litigation”.
Removing any obligation to obey the previous order, it said that individual states and local districts should have a primary role in “establishing education policy”.