Here a pre-written letter which can be submitted to any company that has
gendered, single-stall restrooms with locking doors- usually quick-casual
restaurants have this type of restroom: (Chipotle, Piada, etc.) but some health offices and businesses often also have this type of restroom. This type of bathroom is the
easiest type to make into a safe restroom because the only change that needs to
occur is changing signage and adding a sanitary waste disposal bin. The
challenge is this; when encountering one of these restaurants, use the provided
template to help advocate to the restaurant to make inclusive changes. Not only will this be helping the Trans*
community but also the intersex community, gender non-conforming community,
single parents, veterans, the elderly, and individuals with disability needs
which requires assistance in bathroom settings.
Management and
facilities,
Hello, my name is
_________. I am a repeat customer of __________. I am contacting you today regarding a simple
change which could be made to improve the comfort of myself and others in your
establishment.
An Opportunity:
The way the restrooms are currently set
up for this business is that there are two gendered, single-stall, accessible restrooms. The reason I am approaching the company today
is to remove the gendered restroom signs and replace them with non-gendered
signs. I would also like for the company to add one wastebasket with a lid to
the old men’s room. This would make the facilities equal, and thus
more accessible to everyone and specifically to transgender individuals and
those whom do not identify along the gender binary. In addition to changing the
restrooms at this location, I suggest keeping in mind the use of gender-neutral
restrooms when opening new locations.
Benefits of this change:
-
This change increases accessibility of the restrooms to all
people and will allow shorter wait times and easier access for cleaning and
maintenance. It also makes it easier for parents to take their children to the
restroom without having to worry about taking them into the “wrong restroom”.
-
This change increases accessibility and comfort for any LGBT
employees or customers, and sends a message of inclusivity.
-
Many states, campuses, and public areas are trending towards
increased use of single-stalled, non-gendered restrooms. In other words, more than likely the company
will have to make this change at some point in the future anyway. By
proactively making this change the company may save money on changes in the
long run and show foresight and leadership within the industry.
-
This change would also increase comfort and accessibility for
single parents of young children, individuals with disabilities requiring
assistance in restroom settings, the elderly, and veterans.
Cost of this change:
-
Mydoorsign.com has All-Gender Restroom signs in 15 different
colors with tactile-touch braille for $14.45 each. ($28.90 total.)
-
Google shop has waste baskets with lids for $5.00
-
Estimated total including shipping and tax $45.00. As this is an issue impacting
minority-members and veterans, the company may crowd-fund the cost.
Addressing common concerns:
Some frequent concerns
which surround non-gendered bathrooms are:
1)
Non-gendered restrooms will be harder to keep
clean. False: The exact same amount of people will still be using the
restrooms. Non-gendered restrooms actually allow for cleaner facilities as
employees can now still have an available restroom to guests while cleaning the
other restroom.
2)
Non-gendered restrooms will lead to sexual harassment, rape, and
violations of personal privacy. False: These are single-stalled rooms with
a lock. Therefore, privacy will always be intact and in control of the user of
the restroom.
3)
Non-gendered restrooms will confuse the
children.
False: Data suggests that children’s gender rigidity comes from an institutional need to engender non-gendered things (like restrooms) which
children have a difficult time understanding.
Non-gendered restrooms actually combat this problem (for more
information on this topic I suggest the book Delusions of Gender by Cordelia
Fine.)
Thank you for your
time. I’ll be awaiting your reply. For
any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me either at my email
address _____________ or my cell ____________,
