The Case Against Gender-Specific Bathrooms: A Perspective from a LGBTQ Advocate

When I need to go, I have two wishes. The first is that there is any bathroom available nearby. The second is that it be clean and well stocked with toilet paper, soap, and something to dry my hands. I don’t care a whit who else uses that bathroom.

No, I Don’t Want to Separate Bathrooms

No, I do not want to separate bathrooms by gender or sexual orientation. My primary concern is a clean restroom with enough stalls, hand towels, and an air hand dryer. A deodorizing scent spray system, good ventilation, and scented hand soap from a full dispenser are optional but appreciated. If I have enough time to worry about the genders or sexual orientations of people in the restroom with me, then I have my priorities skewed.

In reality, being part of the LGBTQ community is not a biological sex, which is the basis on which we segregate bathrooms and gender-specific spaces. Nor is it a disability that requires special treatment. If you look like a man, you go to the men’s room. If you look like a woman, go to the women’s. It really is that simple. Men have no business going into women’s bathrooms, and such behavior screams predation and sexual assault, regardless of what activist groups may claim.

Clearing Up Misconceptions

It’s important to note that gender-specific bathrooms should not be used to separate restroom usage based on biological sex or gender identity. The trend towards creating separate LGBT-only bathrooms is problematic because it fails to address the fundamental issue. While it may seem like a solution, ensuring that only LGBT people use such facilities would be practically unenforceable. Mandatory glory holes or other gimmicks would not solve the problem; they would simply add to the confusion and inconvenience.

Beyond Bathrooms

Worries about bathrooms and water fountains are often seen as symbolic battles, but the real issue at hand goes beyond just facilities. The fight for equal rights and safe spaces is about more than just physical segregation. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels safe and included.

Some people argue in favor of separating men and women, but I don’t see the point. Having gender-separated bathrooms in public spaces is outdated and unnecessary. At home, we often have inclusive bathrooms, and they work just fine. In public, it’s even better. Women would have shorter queues, parents could better handle small children, and transgender individuals wouldn’t risk getting attacked by bigots.

Unifying Spaces for Safety and Convenience

Creating one nice, safe, and shared space with plenty of room and privacy for everyone would be a much better solution. Unisex bathrooms eliminate barriers and ensure that everyone can use the facilities without fear or discomfort. It’s time to move away from the outdated concept of gender-separated bathrooms and embrace a more inclusive and modern approach to restroom accessibility.