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Original poster

British Library - women's toilets

66 replies

redsplodge · 18/10/2021 18:36

My partner & I visited the British Library today for the first time in ages & were both pretty pissed off (no pun intended) by the women's toilet provision.

The picture is of the toilet doors in the main area of the ground floor. That's bad enough, the reality inside is that the men's toilets were 'enormous' (partner's words) with both cubicles & urinals - enough for about 15 men. The other one was one toilet - clearly the accessible toilet now supposed to serve everyone else - oh and men too Hmm

The women's toilets referenced in the sign had 7 cubicles (including one larger cubicle, although I am not sure it would have been big enough for wheelchair access). Next door was another men's toilet - 7 cubicles + similar number of urinals.

I cannot get over the disparity in provision and the the fact that those needing the accessible toilet have to share with absolutely fucking everybody.

My partner complained in person - the woman on the information desk positively encouraged him to fill out a form. I'll be emailing my complaint this evening.

British Library - women's toilets
OP posts:
KittenKong · 18/10/2021 19:14

Considering women are usually the ones juggling children in the loos, this is a joke.

Original poster
redsplodge · 18/10/2021 19:12

There were other, separate men's & women's toilets over the other side of the ground floor. The women's had 7 cubicles, the men's about the same number of both cubicles & urinals. In the toilets pictured my partner reckoned there was provision for at least 15 men.

In short :
Men : ~ 30 cubicles & urinals in two locations
Women : ~ 7 cubicles in one location
Those in need of an accessible toilet : one toilet. Which you'll have to share with everyone else.

OP posts:
Motorina · 18/10/2021 19:12

I just want to check I've understood this?

Men have a single sex facility.
Women have a single sex facility, albeit on the other side of the floor.
There's also a single cubicle which serves both as disabled toilets and a gender neutral toilet.

Isn't this the third space solution?

I get that it sucks that the men only provision is more generous than the women's (although is it the other way round on a different floor perhaps?) but, if there are enough loos that noone has to wait then is that a huge issue?

I'd like to remove the male and female symbols from the disabled loo, so it's for disabled and gender non-conforming people only, because I'm aware that it can cause issues for disabled people who have to wait. And I'd like to increase the number of disabled loos, for the same reason.

But, given they're working within the constraints of the existing building, isn't this a good way to have single sex provision for both sexes, as well as a third space for trans gender people?

JayAlfredPrufrock · 18/10/2021 19:08

My rage is enraged.

Gastonia · 18/10/2021 19:08

Actually, I think it's saying that trans people should use the disabled toilet.

The sign next to it says, "The nearest Female WC is on the other side of this floor."

KittenKong · 18/10/2021 19:06

They don’t know the meaning of the word ‘safeguard’ (or dignity) obviously.

Gastonia · 18/10/2021 19:06

I don't think that's the main female toilet. Doesn't it say that the main female toilet is on the other side of this floor?

It just so happens that the disabled toilet is suitable for all sexes, genders etc...

Mumsnut · 18/10/2021 19:05

"Our health & safety management policy statement recognises the British Library's moral and legal obligation to safeguard, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of our employees, contractors, partners, users, visitors, and the general public.

Wonder if there's a risk assessment for this new restroom policy?

KittenKong · 18/10/2021 19:04

So there is a men’s... there everyone else (and that includes disabled facilities and the wee alien symbol). So that’s ok then.

Let us know what they say. How can anyone think that’s ok??? I’d be stomping into the men’s (because I’m a stroppy mare).

AlfonsoTheDinosaur · 18/10/2021 19:03

Awful. So unfair to women. Men can have a private space but women can''t.

Mumsnut · 18/10/2021 19:02

From their Code of service:

"Our service will be fair to everyone

  • We are committed to providing the same level of service to all users.."
Whatsnewpussyhat · 18/10/2021 18:51

Isn't that discrimination on the basis of sex by providing less facilities for females?

Leafstamp · 18/10/2021 18:51

No words. I'm glad you're going to email.

I think I'll be visiting and complaining too:

www.bl.uk/about-us/governance/policies/complaints

BessieWallisWarfield · 18/10/2021 18:46

Well that sums up the entire problem in one tidy photo. Perfect.

ferretface · 18/10/2021 18:42

What the everloving nonsense is this????

bordersroaming · 18/10/2021 18:40

So men have a separate , sex separate facility but not women?

Women have fewer facilities then men?

Both in contradiction to equality act?

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