UK university opens gender-neutral toilets
New toilets at the University of Northampton have the usual plate on the door saying who can enter the loo but it shows the figures of a man, a woman and a half-man, half-woman.
LONDON: A university in the UK has introduced gender-neutral toilets to accommodate a growing number of students identifying themselves as transgender.
New toilets at the University of Northampton have the usual plate on the door saying who can enter the loo but it shows the figures of a man, a woman and a half-man, half-woman.
In the silhouette, the figure has a trouser-wearing leg on one side while the other side sports a skirt.
According to the university, the gender-neutral toilets are in response to a demand from the students, The 'Daily Express' reported.
"There is a growing population of trans students, with those who identify as transgender, non-binary or are inter-sex," Victor Agboola, from the students' union at the university, said.
"Some students would be more comfortable using gender-neutral toilets and at the start of this academic year we had a number of students here visit the Students' Union and tell us exactly that," said Agboola.
The move was designed so "there will be no situation in which two people of any gender identity will be in the same room, ensuring they can feel comfortable using the space," the university said.
The LGBTQ Society and "members of the student population" were consulted about the move, it added. SAR AKJ SAR
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
