Gender-neutral lavatories banned in new-build restaurants and offices

[IwantToRetire]

The new legislation applies to commercial properties as well as those undergoing ‘major refurbishment’

Bars, restaurants and offices will be barred from creating new premises with gender-neutral lavatories, under changes to the law to take effect later this year.

In a move which ministers said would increase the “safety, privacy and dignity” of women, new non-domestic buildings will be required to include separate male and female lavatories.

Those that cannot do so will have to install so-called universal facilities, which include a lavatory, wash basin and hand dryer behind a lockable door.

As well as affecting all new commercial buildings, the measure will also apply to businesses and hospitality venues undertaking “major refurbishment”

Article continues at https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/gender-neutral-lavatories-banned-toilet-commercial-buildings-trans-zzsg826st
and can be read at https://archive.ph/FQlr2

I was thinking this means it will now be the law, but in fact means that a bill to achieve this will only be presented (this week?)

From the Government statement:

Changes to building regulations will ensure that:

• Separate single-sex toilets facilities are provided for men and women;
• Self-contained, universal toilets may be provided in addition to single-sex toilets, where space allows;
• Self-contained universal toilets may be provided instead of single-sex toilets only where lack of space reasonably precludes provision of single-sex toilet accommodation.

Read full statement at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-lay-new-law-to-halt-the-march-of-gender-neutral-toilets-in-buildings

I listened to a clinical psychologist being interviewed on the Queens Speech this morning and she referred to these all enclosed toilets as rape cubicles.
This was in the context of a long interview, but that bit struck a chord.
I haven't heard anyone in conversations on radio or tv mention that the rate of sexual assault goes up by 60% in mixed sex spaces, which is what gender neutral toilets are.

I may have that figure wrong, so happy to be corrected. I remember reading on here that the rate of SA is much greater in mixed sex spaces, as one would expect.

We have this but there’s lots of data showing mixed sex toilets / changing areas are a terrible idea for women.

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/women/sexual-assault-unisex-changing-rooms-sunday-times-women-risk-a8519086.html

Thats why disabled toilets are a risk too.

I was looking at the private company the government used to inform toilet design. There is a reference section with lots about handrail design, wheelchairs and turning circles. All good. One from a charity about people who find it difficult to pee unless it’s private (1 in 3 men apparently). Also worth noting. BUT NOTHING centring the experience of women. Except one reference on queer periods and one American study on improving menstruation equity for non binary and trans people. Nor is there any reference discussing the safety of people prone to collapse. It’s not difficult to find medical articles and studies talking about how and why people are more likely to be ill on the toilet and how survival rates depend on how quickly the collapse is detected.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64d63baedd15ff0014277fd4/Part_M_Research_extension_toilets_research_report.pdf