Ladies and Gents dismissed as Army goes gender neutral

THE Army has installed gender neutral toilets as part of an equality drive, it has emerged.

Two ‘ladies’ and ‘gentlemen’ signs were removed at its £44million HQ in Andover, Hampshire and changed to unisex ones.

They were removed as part of a campaign to encourage equality across the military and government.

The Home Office has spent more than £36,000 installing gender neutral toilets at its HQ so civil servants would ‘feel comfortable at work’.

Chiefs have warned officers that promotions will be blocked unless they improve the ‘inclusiveness and diversity’ of units, according to the Sun on Sunday.

More than 2,000 military and civilian personnel are housed at the HQ. Sources expect other military buildings and bases in the UK to follow suit.

One serving soldier told the newspaper: ‘This is ridiculous and I’m sure most women who work there do not want this.’

Colonel Richard Kemp, former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan, said: ‘It’s quite shocking that the Army is being dragged into this whole world of political correctness.

‘Given how stretched our forces are, it is surprising someone has time to worry about this.’

But the move was welcomed by transgender activist Paris Lees, who said: ‘This is great news. Good on the Army, who are strong on equality issues and place more importance in how you can do your job.’

Earlier this year it emerged five male and five female toilets at the Home Office’s London offices were converted into ten unisex ones.

Purple and white signs with a picture of a toilet and the words ‘Gender Neutral Toilets’ cost £8,070.

The bill for converting the toilets was £28,892, bringing the total to £36,963, according to a Freedom of Information request by The Sun. The work was done as part of a Home Office pledge to make the Westminster HQ gender neutral and ‘a more inclusive place to work’.

The Home Office is understood to be one of a growing number of government departments to introduce gender neutral facilities.

An Army spokesman said: ‘We provide a range of toilet facilities for our personnel.’

A Home Office spokesman said: ‘We are committed to being an inclusive employer and creating an environment where all staff feel comfortable at work.’