Oxford college rejects gender neutral toilets
STUDENTS at an Oxford college have rejected a move to introduce gender neutral toilets over fears it would make women feel uncomfortable.
Somerville College members voted down a proposal for unisex lavatories, with some saying they feared it could cause more harassment by male students.
Others suggested that both male and female students would feel embarrassed having to share a toilet with the opposite sex.
The college’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) officer, Eilidh Wilson, had proposed replacing ‘male’ and ‘female’ toilet signs with ‘gen- der neutral toilet’ and ‘gender neutral toilet with urinals’.
Miss Wilson, a second year philosophy, politics and economics student, said Somerville should recognise ‘non-binary people’ by introducing unisex toilets in the college bar and dining hall, the Telegraph reported.
Campaigns to make toilets unisex have succeeded at several Oxford colleges and other universities.
Scores more gender neutral toilets should be introduced across London, the mayor said yesterday.
Sadiq Khan wants a mass expansion of public lavatories suitable for all users, including the disabled, families and transgender people.
‘Both sexes would feel embarrassed’