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Original poster

Gender neutral toilets question

70 replies

Iriseee · 22/05/2026 13:29

Do gender neutral toilets still need to be ceiling to floor? Just at a venue that has suddenly changed the ladies into gender neutral (no other single sex facility) but there's big gaps above and below doors and communal hand washing. I wasn't sure if it's the result of the new guidance ?

OP posts:
auserna · 22/05/2026 18:55

Iriseee · 22/05/2026 18:21

I spent close to twenty years working in left wing activist organisations (which for the most part I loved) however everything was absolutely 'no debate' in relation to twaw, and how we all had to be allies. A few years ago it could easily have been me putting the gender neutral toilet signs up for one of our events. I think you have to experience it to understand it to know just how insidious that environment can be and just how easily ostracised you would be if you diverge from the party line.

Edited
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Ah, that makes sense (that you worked for left wing organisations).

I also hate the "no debate" attitude and thought-terminating clichés.

Keeptoiletssafe · 22/05/2026 18:54

AnneElliott · 22/05/2026 18:35

This is really interesting - my workplace has made some (old fashioned single sex) toilets gender neutral. They’ve just changed the signs so there’s door gaps and communal hand washing. Now there are other single sex toilets available (which of course all the women use due to the state of the GN ones) but am I right in thinking this isn’t allowed then? As if so I’ll make the point again to estates people. It was changed a few years ago but our building is 25 years old so it doesn’t have the all inclusive toilets with everything inside.

It’s doesn’t meet building regulations.

SexRealistic · 22/05/2026 18:54

Keeptoiletssafe · 22/05/2026 14:26

Each country has variations of this. This is the bit to quote in England:

Love a good document T quote.

Keeptoiletssafe · 22/05/2026 18:53

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 22/05/2026 18:50

“Universl toilets” I learned today.

floor to ceiling doors. No gaps. Ventilation. A sink.

very expensive very large.

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Doesn’t have to be large. But it’s large enough for two.

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 22/05/2026 18:50

WallaceinAnderland · 22/05/2026 18:38

Yes, it's not allowed.

They can't just change the sign, they have to adapt the facilities if they want to make them gender neutral which would mean fully enclosed cubicles with hand washing inside the cubicle (like accessible toilets are).

“Universl toilets” I learned today.

floor to ceiling doors. No gaps. Ventilation. A sink.

very expensive very large.

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 22/05/2026 18:49

AnneElliott · 22/05/2026 18:35

This is really interesting - my workplace has made some (old fashioned single sex) toilets gender neutral. They’ve just changed the signs so there’s door gaps and communal hand washing. Now there are other single sex toilets available (which of course all the women use due to the state of the GN ones) but am I right in thinking this isn’t allowed then? As if so I’ll make the point again to estates people. It was changed a few years ago but our building is 25 years old so it doesn’t have the all inclusive toilets with everything inside.

That’s an open and shut complaint absolutely. Real
easy write if you need any tips.

WallaceinAnderland · 22/05/2026 18:38

Yes, it's not allowed.

They can't just change the sign, they have to adapt the facilities if they want to make them gender neutral which would mean fully enclosed cubicles with hand washing inside the cubicle (like accessible toilets are).

AnneElliott · 22/05/2026 18:35

This is really interesting - my workplace has made some (old fashioned single sex) toilets gender neutral. They’ve just changed the signs so there’s door gaps and communal hand washing. Now there are other single sex toilets available (which of course all the women use due to the state of the GN ones) but am I right in thinking this isn’t allowed then? As if so I’ll make the point again to estates people. It was changed a few years ago but our building is 25 years old so it doesn’t have the all inclusive toilets with everything inside.

WallaceinAnderland · 22/05/2026 18:32

Well done OP, the person who put the signs up must have been someone who wanted access to women and girls. I'm glad the manager sorted it promptly.

Original poster
Iriseee · 22/05/2026 18:26

Thingybob · 22/05/2026 18:25

Bog Standard 😂

Was that intentional?

Oops, no 😂

OP posts:
Thingybob · 22/05/2026 18:25

Bog Standard 😂

Was that intentional?

nutmeg7 · 22/05/2026 18:23

auserna · 22/05/2026 18:09

Oh back at you.

I'm fed up with women on here painting themselves as pathetic creatures who can't go on holiday without a man, or can't stand up for themselves. It doesn't exactly help the cause of feminism.

Show quote history

???? Eh????
can’t go on holiday without a man?

that’s not the general message I take away from the FWR board.

I have every sympathy with the OP, it does take courage to be publicly confrontational about this topic. The backlash can be very nasty and aggressive, in person.

Original poster
Iriseee · 22/05/2026 18:21

auserna · 22/05/2026 18:14

I'm genuinely surprised to hear this. I'm totally on your side in this but I can't think of a single occasion where I've had this experience, never mind many.

Despite my comment, it shows how important it is that people do stand up for women's rights in these situations as clearly TRAs do want us to feel too frightened to do so.

Show quote history

I spent close to twenty years working in left wing activist organisations (which for the most part I loved) however everything was absolutely 'no debate' in relation to twaw, and how we all had to be allies. A few years ago it could easily have been me putting the gender neutral toilet signs up for one of our events. I think you have to experience it to understand it to know just how insidious that environment can be and just how easily ostracised you would be if you diverge from the party line.

OP posts:
LittleMi55Nobody · 22/05/2026 18:18

auserna · 22/05/2026 17:52

Does everyone on Mumsnet spend their time shaking and crying about everything?

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guess youre a man

auserna · 22/05/2026 18:16

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Well make your mind up. I can't be a twat, a prick and a bellend. That would be anatomically impossible.

auserna · 22/05/2026 18:14

Iriseee · 22/05/2026 18:04

There are many MANY occasions throughout my life where I would have lost my job and been socially blacklisted by raising exactly this type of concern. I have to put a roof over my head so I've kept my trap shut. So yes, speaking out about women's rights and single sex spaces feels edgy and gives me heart palpitations. Crazy isn't it! But that's where we are.

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I'm genuinely surprised to hear this. I'm totally on your side in this but I can't think of a single occasion where I've had this experience, never mind many.

Despite my comment, it shows how important it is that people do stand up for women's rights in these situations as clearly TRAs do want us to feel too frightened to do so.

BridgetPhillipsonIsACowardlyJobsworth · 22/05/2026 18:13

auserna · 22/05/2026 18:09

Oh back at you.

I'm fed up with women on here painting themselves as pathetic creatures who can't go on holiday without a man, or can't stand up for themselves. It doesn't exactly help the cause of feminism.

Show quote history

So you're a feminist? Ok. I would've thought you'd be glad someone had spoken up for women's single-sex spaces, but I guess it takes all kinds...

SingleSexSpacesInSchools · 22/05/2026 18:13

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

TheBeaTgoeson1 · 22/05/2026 18:11

its wild @ausernaWILD.

Original poster
Iriseee · 22/05/2026 18:10

auserna · 22/05/2026 18:07

I agree, but it wasn't a trans activist the OP spoke to, it was the venue manager who's unlikely to start throwing piss or smoke bombs in her place of work.

Fwiw I think the OP did absolutely the right thing and it's great that the result was so positive.

Show quote history

Their new gender neutral signs suggested a change of policy at the venue. I anticipated speaking to the person who had put them up who would very likely have been a trans activist.

OP posts:
TheBeaTgoeson1 · 22/05/2026 18:09

auserna · 22/05/2026 17:52

Does everyone on Mumsnet spend their time shaking and crying about everything?

Show quote history

i was wondering this 🤣

auserna · 22/05/2026 18:09

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Oh back at you.

I'm fed up with women on here painting themselves as pathetic creatures who can't go on holiday without a man, or can't stand up for themselves. It doesn't exactly help the cause of feminism.

auserna · 22/05/2026 18:07

MrsOvertonsWindow · 22/05/2026 17:55

Trans activists can be very dangerous to women. Threats, actual violence, tracking down employers to complain about you. Not to mention having some deeply anti social habits like throwing piss around the place, smoke bombs etc to enforce their demands.

It takes a lot of courage for women to face these extreme levels of hostility and violence

Show quote history

I agree, but it wasn't a trans activist the OP spoke to, it was the venue manager who's unlikely to start throwing piss or smoke bombs in her place of work.

Fwiw I think the OP did absolutely the right thing and it's great that the result was so positive.

Original poster
Iriseee · 22/05/2026 18:04

auserna · 22/05/2026 17:52

Does everyone on Mumsnet spend their time shaking and crying about everything?

Show quote history

There are many MANY occasions throughout my life where I would have lost my job and been socially blacklisted by raising exactly this type of concern. I have to put a roof over my head so I've kept my trap shut. So yes, speaking out about women's rights and single sex spaces feels edgy and gives me heart palpitations. Crazy isn't it! But that's where we are.

OP posts:
BridgetPhillipsonIsACowardlyJobsworth · 22/05/2026 18:00

auserna · 22/05/2026 17:52

Does everyone on Mumsnet spend their time shaking and crying about everything?

Show quote history

No, but from what I've read about some activists, they seem unable to leave the house often because... reasons. They really ought to try being stunning and brave once in a while, as this person has been.