Restrooms have been a fundamental part of American history, and while our society is becoming more equal and accepting of a variety of genders along the gender spectrum, our public restroom situation does not reflect this. Currently, our restrooms present examples of institutionalized services that both reflect and manifest social inequality. Restrooms today are separated in a binary method, male and female. This binary method is a visual erasure of identity and recreates restrictive norms, and creates a problematic scenario for people who do not fall completely into one of the two categories. Restrooms today are among the few remaining sex-segregated spaces in the American landscape, and they remain among the more tangible relics of gender
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Historically in the United States, restrooms have been segregated by factors such as race, class, religion, and ableness. During the times of the Jim Crow laws, for example, public restrooms were racially segregated in part to "protect the morality and sensibilities of white women" (Godfrey, 66). Restrooms are no longer segregated in these manners, however, the passage of HB2 is creating a situation where restrooms are segregated by biological gender. In February of 2016, Charlotte passed an ordinance that allowed people who identify as transgender to use the restroom they associate with. In response to this, HB2 was passed March 23rd at a “late-night session” (Peralta). This secretive response to an ordinance meant to promote equality raised many questions, such as how those who identify as transgender can safely use the restroom. As stated by the Unitarian Universalist Association, “Some transgender people desire gender neutral bathroom space; some identify as women and men and should not be pressured or forced out of women’s or men’s rooms” (“Gender Neutral Bathrooms”). Many establishments and building planners are calling for a ‘restroom revolution’. Some companies, such as Target, are simply telling customers they are welcome to use the facility that aligns with their gender identity. Other establishments are implementing gender neutral restrooms or single occupancy restrooms. There are many ways these establishments are going about to implement gender neutral restroom spaces. For some establishments, especially smaller ones, the bathroom changes come in the form of new signage. Others take on the costlier task of building a
Historically in the United States, restrooms have been segregated by factors such as race, class, religion, and ableness. During the times of the Jim Crow laws, for example, public restrooms were racially segregated in part to "protect the morality and sensibilities of white women" (Godfrey, 66). Restrooms are no longer segregated in these manners, however, the passage of HB2 is creating a situation where restrooms are segregated by biological gender. In February of 2016, Charlotte passed an ordinance that allowed people who identify as transgender to use the restroom they associate with. In response to this, HB2 was passed March 23rd at a “late-night session” (Peralta). This secretive response to an ordinance meant to promote equality raised many questions, such as how those who identify as transgender can safely use the restroom. As stated by the Unitarian Universalist Association, “Some transgender people desire gender neutral bathroom space; some identify as women and men and should not be pressured or forced out of women’s or men’s rooms” (“Gender Neutral Bathrooms”). Many establishments and building planners are calling for a ‘restroom revolution’. Some companies, such as Target, are simply telling customers they are welcome to use the facility that aligns with their gender identity. Other establishments are implementing gender neutral restrooms or single occupancy restrooms. There are many ways these establishments are going about to implement gender neutral restroom spaces. For some establishments, especially smaller ones, the bathroom changes come in the form of new signage. Others take on the costlier task of building a