Seattle Central adds all-gender restroom facilities
In an effort to create a more accommodating and inclusive environment for all students, employees and visitors, Seattle Central has converted a set of restrooms into a new, multi-stall, all-gender and family restroom – located at the north end of the Broadway Edison building’s third floor (see map). The restroom, which joins existing all-gender restrooms in another third-floor location, are designed for trans-gender and gender-non-conforming persons in particular to enhance their comfort while on campus and provide greater convenience to restroom facilities. The new restroom includes:
- Eight standard toilets
- One wheelchair accessible toilet
- One accessible toilet for those with limited mobility
- One family toilet with a baby changing table
Broadway-Edison Building – Third Floor:
Who are all-gender restrooms for?
As the name suggests, all-gender restrooms are for people of all genders. This includes people who do not identify within the traditional gender binary, as well as those who identify as women or men.
Why are all-gender restrooms important?
Gendered restrooms (women’s and men’s restrooms) can be places of profound discomfort and risk for transgender and gender-nonconforming (GNC) people. People who do not identify within the gender binary of male or female are forced to make a choice that does not fit their gender identify. This in turn often leads to harassment or confrontations in traditional restrooms because they are perceived as defying other people’s perceptions of gender. All-gender restrooms offer some privacy and reduce the pressure of having to pick between binary-gendered restrooms.
Respect others’ access needs
Access to restrooms is a fundamental right for everyone. Because all-gender restrooms at Seattle Central are an important but limited addition to our campus, please consider others’ needs when making your decision about which restroom to use. There are nine all-gender restroom stalls on the Seattle Central College campus, compared to dozens of women’s and men’s stalls. People who need all-gender restrooms may be forced to wait longer or travel farther than other people to access restrooms appropriate to their needs. You are the best judge of your own needs for an all-gender restroom.
Respect others’ privacy
Seattle Central invites transgender and gender-nonconforming students, faculty and staff to use the restroom they feel most comfortable with. All individuals deserve privacy when deciding which restroom suits them best. If you see someone waiting for an all-gender restroom, do not question them about it. If you are in a women’s or men’s restroom and you see someone you think doesn’t belong there, please keep the thought to yourself.