Wednesday, April 25, 2012

We Demand Gender Neutral Bathrooms

CalArts QAC demands permanent gender-neutral bathrooms for a safe, inclusive CalArts campus and community. To create a discussion about the need to desegregated our bathrooms, we are displaying an alternative to gendered signage: posters with a check/number list of the amenities within the bathroom. If it has what you need, use it!

WHY?
All students have the right to pee/poo without difficulty, fear, shame or the possibility of physical or emotional violence – regardless of race, ethnicity, physical disability, sex, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual preferences, etc. As a public space for private needs, the bathroom is an incredibly vulnerable space to be in. 

Gender-segregated bathrooms define, in very clear terms, who is allowed and who is not allowed to enter – creating a dangerous space for those who do not identify or present themselves within the gender binary (man/woman). As long as there is racism, ableism, homophobia and transphobia, we must make sure all spaces – and in particular, the vulnerable spaces of bathrooms – are safe, inclusive and accessible for all. 

CalArts students, administrators and faculty must stand together as a community to make certain that we are, indeed, a community – of acceptance, safety, accessibility and compassion.

For more information or questions, email Vidisha (VidishaSaini@alum.calarts.edu) or Scott (ScottOshima@alum.calarts.edu).

-QAC