#Safe2PeeUOC - Join Our Campaign for Gender Neutral Toilets at UoC!
Thursday 04-02-2021 - 09:34
Everyone should have access to a toilet they feel able to use safely, yet 48% of trans people don’t feel comfortable using public toilets due to fear of discrimination or harassment (LGBT in Britain – Trans Report 2018, Stonewall).
Transgender students and staff must choose between using bathrooms in which they don’t feel safe, going home to use their own bathrooms, or even not eating or drinking so they don’t have to go throughout the day. This is unacceptable!
Not including accessible/disabled toilets, there are only one or two gender-neutral toilets per campus here at the University of Chester. This is woefully inadequate for a University of nearly 15,000 students and over 2,000 staff members!
Our campaign aims to ensure the provision of at least one block of gender-neutral toilets per building on all campuses. With respect for the financial implications of truly universal toilets, we are merely asking for a shift in the signage from gendered language (Men, Women, Accessible) instead to facilities-based language (Urinals, Cubicles, Accessible). Even this small change will make a world of difference to staff and students here at the University of Chester.
To help with this campaign, students can:
- Sign our petition
- Share your support on social media by using the hashtag #Safe2PeeUoC
- Share your experiences of why these vital facilities are needed through blogs or social media - please email csumarketing@chester.ac.uk if you'd like us to share your story anonymously
