
You may have walked by it on your way to the First Aid office or when you were checking your Student Constable work schedule. Maybe you passed by it on your way to Studio Q or you noticed that unlabelled doorway when you travelled down the JDUC hallway to use the—ahem!—facilities.
Perhaps you know it as the one washroom that is anxiety-free. But however you know about it, the one and only gender-neutral washroom that sits as a hallmark to our attempts at progress is facing some opposition—in the development of the very building that is symbolic of future Queen’s greatness.
The Queen’s Centre. It is estimated to assume an area of 65,300 square metres. However I am obliged to ask: In all that space, will there be room for diversity? More specifically, will the Queen’s Centre designate gender-neutral washrooms into the plans for all three phases of the development project?
It is hoped that the Queen’s Centre will at least maintain what is already available in the JDUC; but, should we not expect more from this leading institution? Given that this project—estimated to be completed over the next 10 to 15 years—will cost each full-time undergraduate student $71 per year for the next five years and $141 per year for the following 10 years, or until the total of $25.5 million is reached, should we not expect this facility to meet the basic needs of all students?
It wasn’t until early June 2005 that transgender washrooms even entered the conversation in regard to the planning of the Queen’s Centre. Since then, there have been mixed opinions expressed about the necessity for such a space in the new complex.
The argument supporting the existence of a gender-neutral washroom is a human rights one. For individuals who fear bashing in washrooms for whatever reason—trans-identity, sexual orientation, privacy etc.—the gender-neutral washroom is a secure place available to them.
Furthermore, for individuals who do not identify with the sex they were born into, every day is a struggle in this society that expects a homogenized agreement upon two distinct gender identities. The gender-specific washroom can be an intimidating and frightening experience for those who are transsexual. As much as we do not wish to believe it, violence exists towards persons who are transgendered/transidentified in gender-specific washrooms and is a prevalent concern.
Trans-bashing is especially common at events where the consumption of alcohol is a factor and relaxes inhibitions that unveil masked bigotry. In one study of interpersonal violence at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, men had been drinking in an estimated 45 per cent of cases of violence and women had been drinking in 20 per cent of cases of violence. So far there are plans for at least three licensed spots in the Queen’s Centre, so the chance that violence with the influence of alcohol may occur is a realistic one. It is necessary to ensure that all people feel safe on campus, and as such, a gender-neutral washroom would aid in creating the secure environment that we hope to have at Queen’s.
Ultimately, Queen’s would be taking a giant step backwards without this initiative. All across Canada, student interest groups have been pushing for transgender-related initiatives and have been successful. Already we find ourselves lagging behind McGill University, Simon Fraser University (SFU), Carleton University, the University of Victoria (UVic), Concordia University and U of T’s St. George campus.
At McGill, a group called the Subcommittee on Queer Peoples is making progress establishing gender-neutral washrooms all over campus. UVic is incorporating gender-neutral washrooms in its new residences, and the “bathroom committee” at SFU aspires to include gender-neutral washrooms on every floor of every building on the Burnaby campus.; so far, one co-ed dorm houses a gender-inclusive facility.
I believe there should be a gender-neutral washroom wherever there is a female and male washroom. At Queen’s we have one for the whole of campus and I do not think one is enough. It sends a message that we only recognize rights in a few areas, instead of everywhere.
Opponents of gender-neutral washrooms argue that the implementation of these facilities does not address the real issue of transphobia—the irrational fear of or discrimination towards those who are transsexual and transgendered people—that should be battled. However, others argue that interest groups that push for the placement of gender-neutral washrooms seek to celebrate differences and spread awareness through identity politics in order to create a space of their own—much like the women’s movement did in the earlier part of the 20th century. Our institutions are gender specific which, up until recent transgender movements, have been reflections of our society; however, they do not allow for change easily for minority groups.
Attitudes do not change immediately, but why should we expect people to tolerate abuse and insensitivity in the meantime? It is important to take proactive steps to appreciate diversity in Canada. Perhaps this is also the reason that Parliament is in the final stages of passing Bill C-38 The Civil Marriage Act instead of simply waiting for the attitude of the entire population to change.
We have the unique opportunity, while Queen’s Centre plans are still being drafted, to include these facilities now. I urge the Queen’s Centre Student Working Group to seize this chance to include gender-neutral washrooms in their demands. Who is to say that in 20 years, when the Queen’s Centre is complete, that the transgendered population isn’t more involved, more active, and more insulted by the fact that we ignored their rights in the first place?
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