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This forum is now closed. Here are the posts from Fall-Winter 2003-4 on the Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Campaign.
most recent posts appear first
Moderator writes:
In a letter to the editor of the Maroon, Eric
Malczewski said of this campaign that "the University is being asked to
take a very public and very expensive stance that implicitly admits that
tolerance has failed here."
First of all, very expensive is wrong: the short-term measure costs no
more than changing some signs, and it's hard to see how the long-term
measure (including at least one single-occupancy bathroom in future
buildings) is expensive either.
But what do people think about the second claim? I think it's
wrongheaded... bathrooms shouldn't be a laboratory for tolerance and trans
people shouldn't have to offer themselves up as a measuring stick for
other people's growing awareness every time they want to pee. I don't see
how giving people an option for privacy is capitulating here.
Brianna Benner writes:
In response to J, who asked for an
explanation to his concerns:
Coalition for a Queer Safe Campus is not advocating the addition of 2
gender-neutral bathrooms to the exclusion of educational efforts. This
site and the panel discussion are but two examples of our commitment to
educate our campus about a range of queer issues. Please look at our
previous work (there is a link to Campaign #1 on the bottom of the main
page), in which we have focused on other issues that you may find more
important to queers on campus. It's unreasonable to denigrate the
importance of a campus-based campaign because you don't think that it
applies to national concerns. The existence of a national hubbub (eg-
Limbaugh's radio diatribe, Chicago Sun-Times and NPR coverage) has done
more to raise awareness (national or otherwise) of queer issues than, for
example, sending a petition to Washington about marriage rights. However,
if you would like to organize around national issues such as those that
you mentioned, please free to do so. Queers & Associates and Feminist
Majority would be more than willing to lend resources and support,
especially if you have ideas for direct action around these issues. To
respond to your concern about the utility of bathrooms as an
organizational focus: You imply that the addition of gender-neutral
bathrooms is but a "band-aid solution" to a complex social problem. So
are domestic violence shelters. "Band-aid" though gender-neutral
bathrooms and shelters may be, the existence of them is crucial in
providing safety to valued members of our community, and does not preclude
a more comprehensive political strategy toward social change.
Katie DeBoer writes:
The energy and hard-work of the people
running this campaign is amazing. It's great that you're providing a forum
for issues that effect the whole community. This campus likes to shove
queer and trans issues under the rug. Thanks for fighting for civil rights
and open minds!
Michal Ran writes:
I just want to commend the people working on
this campaign. I.ve heard others describe their much needed effort as a
subversion of normative social categories and the likes. From my
perspective, that doesn.t really encompass the heart of what.s at stake in
this campaign, which at its core is about civil rights and equal rights.
It.s about safety, visibility and the everyday forms of marginalization
that, without the persistent effort of people demanding justice, might
otherwise go unnoticed. I just wanted to thank all of you for bringing
this issue to the forefront and I hope that not only will the
administration meet the very reasonable demands that have been set but
also go a step beyond and closely examine policies and practices here at
the University of Chicago that may further homophobia and transphobia or
simply be inadequate for protecting all students in their due rights.
megan writes:
in response to the person who asks, "why focus on
this?"
there aren't a lot of places in society where an individual is forced to
choose, unambiguously, the gender they belong to. bathrooms are symbolic
-- they represent the presumably hard-wired, socially ingrained
distinctions which split us into two groups: male & female. it's not that
we're seeking to destroy that distinction -- i personally feel very female
(whatever that is) and will probably continue to use a female-only
bathroom. but i do not agree that gender (as opposed to biological
sex...and even that is less definite for a lot of people than you might
think) is an either-or proposition. i don't want to enforce my perception
of what makes a person "female" on others. we (well, really, i can only
speak for myself) are making bathrooms an issue because 1) there are more
people than you might think out there whose lives are negatively affected
by the current system 2) because it is something which we can change for a
large number of people with a minimum amount of time/money investment from
the university (it's possible) and 3) it represents in a powerful way a
redefinition of sexuality which is long overdue. it's scary &
uncomfortably to let go of very deeply held categorizations. but it's
time.
Nicole Aro writes:
Excellent campaign- it's about time people
start to think about issues affecting transgender folks, and what better
issue than one that makes people think every time they have to use the
bathroom? My fingers are crossed that people won't stop thinking and
acting on trans issues as soon as we're sitting and thinking on a
gender-neutral throne instead of a male or female one...
anna fielding griggs writes:
i am proud to be a part of a campus
that is fighting so valiantly for the rights of the transgendered and
gender variant. i hope the administration furthers the brave work of
queers and associates, feminist majority, and their supporters by
providing gender-neutral bathrooms in key locations on campus.
Jacob writes:
I'm proud to have been involved in a campaign that
pissed off Rush Limbaugh. Well done, good luck, and keep me informed as
to what we are up to next.
Joelle Shabat writes:
Having numerous queer friends and being very
aware of queer issues, I support the campaign for gender neutral
bathrooms. I think it is very hard for most people to understand the
campaign because they have taken certainty of their gender for granted.
Binary gender identification is all over the media; it is strewn
everywhere throughout society without much thought. Perhaps if people took
the time to think and piece all of this together, they would understand
the issue more as a cohesive whole. Keep up the good work of building a
queer safe campus!
Matt writes:
I support this campaign and have a hard time
understanding what grounds anybody can really find to oppose it. It's not
like the effect would really be to take anything away from people who feel
comfortable in sex-segregated bathrooms, just give something to those who
feel uncomfrotable there.
Lulu writes:
Gender neutral bathroom is the greatest idea I have
ever heard. Not only does it provide safety for trans people it also opens
our ideas of gender and sexuality.
Maria Marquez writes:
Gender neutral bathrooms are a great idea.
Everywhere would be fantastic! In the Reg & Cobb is a necessity.
Ali writes:
gender-neutral bathrooms RULE!!! long live ALL sexes!
and the right to pee as we wish!!!
Kevin writes:
Not sure if this movement is to be enforced under
the ADA or not... You people are unbelievable.
J writes:
Wouldn't it be a better use of resources to EDUCATE
people as to why gender issues are important rather than to simply apply a
band-aid to the symtoms of harrassment, etc.?
I fully support queer rights, but I'm not sure how I feel about the
utility of this campaign. I mean, marriage rights, hospital visitation
rights, civil rights, employee non-discrimination laws, equal
opportunities for adoption, hate crimes, police brutality, and the issue
you have chosen to focus on is BATHROOMS?
Please explain.
Ella Hereth writes:
Good job everyone! Articles all over the
place. I support this campaign, and I'm really excited about the momentum
that has been built in such a short period of time. Great work!
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