Bathrooms may be challenging for some trans and genderfluid people to manage, as evidenced by the death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict in Oklahoma.
When it comes to providing safe and equal bathrooms for transgender persons, Oklahoma is not an exception. According to the Movement Advancement Project, which tracks LGBTQ+ policies, 13 states have policies that prevent transgender individuals from properly or legitimately using common rooms.
However, data shows that transgender and nonbinary individuals report high levels of abuse in public restrooms even in states with transgender-friendly policies. Proponents claim that regular people can significantly influence how discrimination is handled in sexist restrooms. The 19th demonstrates how people can assist in preventing misuse.
Recognize that bathrooms can be intimidating and assist in locating healthy options.
Sex-segregated facilities have historically been a hostile environment for Seattle-based journalist and transgender person Tate Bellamy-Walker. They had to go far beyond their comfort zone to locate all-gender single-stall restrooms they could use carefully in grad school and at news internships.
“You never forget being told you don’t relate in a room; you always forget not having a position to dispose of hygiene products if you’re on your time in the people’s bathroom,” Bellamy-Walker said. “It’s only distinct you do not belong in public spots.”
Friends can be a huge support by locating and recommending gender-neutral rooms to friends or family who might need them. This is particularly crucial when organizing events or events. Make sure your place has protected bathrooms.
Offer to be your buddies’ transgender and nonbinary bathroom companion.
Carrie Soto, a South Dakota family of a trans baby, said she lives by the phrase “see something, say something.”
That entails speaking out when there is harassment and bullying, and volunteering to follow a trans/nonbinary friend or family member when they need to enter a public restroom.
“Evaluate a trans person’s fears and anxiety about the situation,” Soto said. “If my daughter uses a gendered restroom and feels anxious, I go with.”
If you see transgender and nonbinary individuals in bathrooms, welcome them and make them welcome.
Although it may seem obvious, transgender health advocate Jamison Green points out that this action can actually make trans people feel secure. Consider initially that according to the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey, 59 percent of transgender people avoided using a public room due to fear of abuse. According to data from 2022, 6% of trans people claimed they were physically or verbally attacked while using a restroom, and 4% were denied access to the bathroom.
“If you see somebody who you clock as trans or genderfluid, only smile or give them a non-controversial compliment. … Wish them a fine morning or good night, and walk on,” Green said. “Of course, that only goes for the women’s place! In the people’s place, talking is really unique.”
Natural advises that transgender people give a type, unapologetic nod.
Request for more gender-neutral options.
Twenty-two states and Washington, D.C., allow residents to opt for “X” gender markers on their IDs in addition to selecting “M” or “F.” However, in every position, regardless of laws, most rooms in state buildings, institutions, businesses, places of worship, and social institutions are gendered.
People can, according to advocates, just ask organizations and building masters for more options to accommodate all genders to change this.
In its restrooms link, Lambda Legal states that “advocacy is the most crucial component of the battle for transgender rights.” There is a much lower chance of difficulties coming up in the future if employers adopt pro-trans policies proactive rather than waiting for transgender people to pave the way.
If you don’t need single-stall gender-neutral bathrooms, try to leave them free.
The internet is full of comments, which are inappropriate for a media article about people using the only single-stall, gender-neutral rooms available for… also, farting. As a result, gender-neutral bathrooms, mainly in terminals, are almost always occupied.
There are many reasons why a cisgender person might need a single-occupancy bathroom (accessibility, illness, child care, and, yes, even a little more privacy). It’s a kindness to leave gender-neutral restrooms unoccupied when you don’t need them, just like accessible stalls.
