All school toilets in Brighton to become gender neutral

[SapphosRock]

I'm not happy about this at all.

I have a DD and keep thinking how she would feel changing a pad in year 7 or 8 with a group of year 11 boys in the same toilets as her.

It's always the girls who lose out by being 'inclusive'.

Any suggestions on what I can do?

www.theargus.co.uk/news/19361363.gender-neutral-toilets-introduced-brighton-schools/

Aside from the points made by other posters about protecting female spaces, boys toilets always stink- pee on the floor and the seat- yuk- why should girls have to put up with that?

@RadandMad

Oh, hang on, I see you said the cubicle have separate washing facilities in them. I don't really understand this. Why does there need to be cubicles at all then? Why not just have a separate loos accessed from the corridor?

Yes. .I think this is the way to go. separate loos accessible from the corridor. ..much safer surely?

As above if schools are moving towards unisex toilets why not have single toilets (with thick or double doors) along a corridor. That’s what a lot of work spaces and cafes have now. I imagine that is better for bullying generally too, if toilets are individual rather than a toilet block.

That does not remove the risk of spy cameras, or a medical emergency , or having to wipe boys piss off the seat befere using.

@Whatwouldscullydo

That does not remove the risk of spy cameras, or a medical emergency , or having to wipe boys piss off the seat befere using.

Yes I can see it would be an issue for medical emergencies. As I suppose the things about blocks of toilets is that other people might hear a fall and be able to open the door, or go under or over to help.

I wonder how this is managed in work places and public places with single toilets off a corridor. I can think of loads of places like that. A pull cord?

Surely spy cameras could be put in any toilet?

To be honest I’m not sure that girls are anymore tidy thanks boys, certainly not in my house. Dealing with other people lack of cleanliness is just an issue with any public/shared toilet isn’t it:

If you google deaths in public toilets they are in ones that are completely enclosed. Some people have been there for hours before they are found. Remember schools are (usually) open to the community too in the evenings.
Where do you go when you feel ill?
How long does a teacher wait whilst doing a ‘fire drill sweep’ if the door is locked but it’s silent?
self harming/sex/drugs all happen in loos too. Much easier in an enclosed cubicle.

Yes I can see in the work place it would also present the same issue. I think its also surprising common that miscarriages happen in public toilets aswell. But adults can risk assess better than children can. It's hard enough fir kids to get out of a lesson to use the loo let alone dragging a friend along too. Also teachers are responsible for the children and its a big burden to place on them without the back up of the kids who would usually alert them.to problems but who now will be unable to see and be aware of the problem.

Adults may also be able able talne theor bag with their phone with them.in the work place ..kids in school not so much.

The local high school have these and honestly it’s fine they are essentially separate loos accessed from the corridor. I’ve used them myself and feel they’re a lot more private than conventional toilets. They all have sanitary supplies and bins in. I think it’s important to distinguish between building gender neutral toilets within a new building in which case Proper walls and doors etc and it’s fine and modifying existing toilets to be gender neutral by changing signage and extending cubicle doors and walls which to me does not give enough privacy or safety.

It was my understanding that some sections of the trans lobby are opposed to 'gender neutral' WCs alongside single sex designated WCs as they only want the option of using the WC designated for their chosen gender to be made available to people, no third space.

@Woeismethischristmas
Yes my work place toilets are very thick walls and doors so even odd a corridor you feel private.

No way would that be the same as a normal cubicle (which age basically made of cardboard) having a slightly bigger door or sides.

When mixed sex toilets are well designed there should be no problem just as with individual disabled toilets. However, this is not what is being proposed in many instances. Few schools will have enough room for individual rooms like disabled toilets. Therefore we will have a mixed sex area with cubicles separated by flimsy dividers with full length doors but no washing facilities, to wash your hands , so you will have to take your place beside all the other boys and girls. A potential nightmare for some girls with difficult periods.

I am claustrophobic and really hate the toilets that are floor to ceiling, completely enclosed. They remind me of coffins. I also have a fear of being 'locked in' and unable to escape, so I also only use the lock when I can physically see the mechanism working. If there is space at the bottom of the cubicle I can just wedge my bag in the gap so people can see it. When I'm out with my Mum I can cope with enclosed cubicles because she will stand outside and guard the door so I don't have to lock it, but if I'm on my own which I usually am, this is obviously not an option.

Completely missing the point of the thread I know, but just another perspective. And at least in single sex facilities I would still be pretty happy to leave my door unlocked, rather than risk a terrifying panic attack. If there were men directly outside the cubicle then the freedom for me to do that in safety has been taken away.

@Miljea

It was my understanding that some sections of the trans lobby are opposed to 'gender neutral' WCs alongside single sex designated WCs as they only want the option of using the WC designated for their chosen gender to be made available to people, no third space.

That is my understanding too. As TWAW they must use the women's toilets not third spaces.