Why Gender-Inclusive Restrooms Are Important
Female/male sex-segregated bathrooms are not accessible spaces that everyone can use. Many people report harassment, intimidation, legal charges, and violence on a daily basis.Transgender, genderqueer, and/or gender non-conforming people are particularly affected by bathroom segregation regardless of how accepting or “liberal” their surroundings may be because of the visible gender differences that may not correlate with cultural gender norms. [1] Cisgender and gender conforming people may also experience difficulty and inconvenience in sex-segregated bathrooms when parents with differently-gendered children are not able to accompany them in gender-segregated bathrooms (a mother with her son or a father with his daughter). Further, people with disabilities who have differently-gendered attendants or family members are not able to bring them into gender-specific, multi-stall bathrooms.
Gender-inclusive bathrooms are typically single-stall, lockable bathrooms available to people of all genders and sexes, though there are a few multi-stall gender-inclusive bathrooms on campus. Gender-inclusive bathrooms provide a safe, private facility for transgender, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming people, families with children, and people with disabilities who may need assistance. Single-stall restrooms also more easily meet the accessibility regulations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).[2]
Gender-Inclusive Restrooms Campus Locations List
Check out the Gender-Inclusive Restrooms Campus Locations map!
Request A Gender-Inclusive Restroom (GIRR) Addition or Conversion
In addition to advising the Chancellor and Provost with the planning, oversight, and allocation of funding for capital improvement projects, Design & Construction Management (DCM) also works with deans and vice chancellors to assign building space for education and administrative purposes. DCM has a process for departments to request changes to their space, such as requesting new GIRR or converting one of their existing facilities.
- Space & Project Need Request (SPNR) Form
- Process: Project Initiation | Design and Construction Management (ucdavis.edu)
If you would like to advocate for a new GIRR or a restroom conversion within your building you can begin by identifying your department’s leadership team. Each building is managed by different departments and the department’s leadership, along with Design & Construction Management, make decisions about how they will allocate their funds for the academic year.
How to let us know about new GIRRS to include in our GIRR Campus Locations List
Facilities Management is working to ensure that the GIRR Campus Locations List is fully updated. If you notice that our list is missing a GIRR, please fill out the Gender-Inclusive Restroom Inventory Updates form.
[1] Transgender Law Center, “Peeing in Peace: A Resource Guide for Transgender Activists and Allies”
[2] University of Chicago QueerAction, “Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Campaign: A QueerSafeCampus Initiative” Developed by Brett Genny Beemyn, Director, The Stonewall Center, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, brettgenny@stuaf.umass.edu