Please or to access all these features

Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Used an 'all genders' bathroom today

284 replies

Dominoodles · 10/07/2024 19:58

Sent to the theatre today and ended up in an 'all genders' bathroom. Walked in and came face to face with a man and we both instinctively apologised to each other. There was this instant understanding that we should not be sharing that space.

The toilet itself was awful. There was urine splattered all over the seat, a pool of urine on the floor around the base of the toilet, and no sanitary bin that I could see.

I can't say I felt unsafe, exactly - the only man in there was perfectly polite. But it didn't feel 'all genders'. It felt like I was in the men's and everything was covered in pee and nothing catering to women at all. I felt like an intruder, and that it was not a place for women.

I never gave any thought to the concept before but now I feel really uncomfortable about it and I don't really know how to put it into words. What are your thoughts on 'all gender' public bathrooms? I'd love to pick the brains of some ladies here.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
Sausagenbacon · 10/07/2024 20:04

I've used an all genders toilet (the watershed , Bristol). In my experience it was clean, and I didn't feel unsafe. But it just felt wrong. And my husband felt the same way. And I'm unlikely to go there again.
But we're going to have to get used to it, aren't we?

Imicola · 10/07/2024 20:04

I used one in a resturant recently. While i was on the loo, two men came in... sounded drunk, quite loud, one i think was vomiting in the other loo. Braced myself and exited to the shared sink area and the chap that was there was so confused, he said he thought it was the men's and seemed as though he wished he wasn't there. So yeah, i felt uncomfortable, and so did he...i genuinely hate mixed sex loos. Dirty, smelly and uncomfortable.

Corinthiana · 10/07/2024 20:03

I would definitely complain to the Hippodrome management. That's not at all what this designation of toilet should be. They should be self contained with a sink and hand dryer and floor to ceiling doors. It's not acceptable.

AnnaMagnani · 10/07/2024 20:02

Oh actually 3 times - last was Birmingham Rep.

Yes, the cubicles were enclosed with a sink + sanitary bin in each. But they were also down a corridor you couldn't see down so you didn't feel safe. Nobody liked it, male or female.

Dominoodles · 10/07/2024 20:01

Eddielizzard · 10/07/2024 20:00

Please complain. I thought they had to provide sanitary bins.

My only thought is that maybe there was only sanitary bins in some of the cubicles? Or maybe I was just too distracted to notice them elsewhere?

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 10/07/2024 20:01

I have used them twice.

First time: came out of cubicle to see man zipping up his flies. Think he was more panicked than I was, he hadn't realised he might have to change his routine if women might be around.

Second time: basically what you describe. Piss everywhere. Utterly grim.

Eddielizzard · 10/07/2024 20:00

Please complain. I thought they had to provide sanitary bins.

Dominoodles · 10/07/2024 20:00

Corinthiana · 10/07/2024 19:59

Which theatre was this?

The Hippodrome in Birmingham, its otherwise a beautiful theatre but the bathroom was awful

OP posts:
Corinthiana · 10/07/2024 19:59

Which theatre was this?