Some things to consider about "all-gender" bathrooms, "unisex", as we

[niyad]

used to call them (ask any airline). My late friend Betty (who introduced me to DU) , as we were listening to the fuss in some areas back in the 90's, asked a simple question. Which restroom was she supposed to use when she and her paraplegic husband were together on the rare occasions she could take him out, since he needed her help? Or, which restroom is the opposite-sex parent supposed to use when their too-young-to-go-on-their-own child has to go?

We have had unisex, or all-gender restrooms for decades (see airlines, parks, portapotties at events, etc.) WTAF is the resurgent problem??? I remember this "discussion" with the late, unlamented phyllis schlafly, ranting about how the ERA would mandate unisex bathrooms (it wouldn't, but truth never mattered to her). I asked her if the males and females in her house used different bathrooms. It was fun watching her sputtering that it was none of my business. Sadly, her nasty, lying, hate-filled ghost is still haunting us.

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

1. I grew up with a unisex bathroom in my house.

Totally, absolutely scarred for life.

Really.

Totally scarred.

I mean...

Totally.

[niyad]

2. Same here.

[writerJT]

3. How many stalls and/or urinals were in there?

[Skittles]

9. FYI

if you've EVER used a public restroom, you're likely been in there with trans folk

all these whiny fucking people need to GROW UP already

[writerJT]

51. AFYI: The post to which I replied

said “in my house.”

[Skittles]

66. if I cared enough

I'd ask you what that even meant.

[niyad]

11. Did you forget the sarcasm thingie?

[writerJT]

50. I would never use that.

That thing (emoji?) is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen on any message board. It reminds me of people who immediately begin to explain their joke. Announcing that something is sarcasm is actually insulting to potential readers. If people can’t detect sarcasm, or have trouble figuring out if someone is making a point or asking a question or whatever, that’s on the reader.

[niyad]

52. Sometimes things are not clear, which is on the writer, as well, particularly

when their work is an unknown quantity.

[niyad]

62. Not so much with me, I think. You, however, are a known quantity, as are so

many here. Some others, not so much.

[Ocelot II]

4. The bathroom thing is about trans people now, their latest scapegoat.

The claim is simply this: Trans women are actually men who dress up as women so they can lurk in public ladies' rooms for the purpose of assaulting unsuspecting "real" women. And of course this happens all the time, and the only way to prevent it is to require trans people to use the bathroom corresponding to their genetic/birth gender - or to prevent trans people from being trans at all.

[Norrrm]

10. actually men who dress up as women

[arthritisR_US]

15. Fecking nailed it!

[Skittles]

5. the "resurgent problem"

is repukes know they can make up bullshit "issues" to manipulate their stupid base - CRT, DEI, WOKE, transfolk, IT WORKS

[Historic NY]

6. My town Republican run just redid all the old section of the town

halls employee bathrooms both are side by side and have unisex markings.

[niyad]

17. Is anybody freaking out about it?

[Historic NY]

58. Who knows which Republican is...

[niyad]

64. Pity their widdle heads don't explode when they do.

[Norrrm]

7. Downtown Seoul early 80s. Public unisex bathrooms, underground, multiple urinals and stalls.

Women walk past the men at the urinals to get to the stalls.

No eeking and shrieking.

Got business to do.

[niyad]

13. Amazing how simple some things are.

[ShazzieB]

113. That setup would never fly in ths US.

Different countries have different norms regarding public nudity (even partial). I really don't think the setup you describe in Seoul would be accepted in the US. In fact, I'm just about positive it wouldn't be.

As a woman, I would be very uncomfortable having to walk past a bunch of men with their dicks out peeing to get to a bathroom stall. You can call me a prude if you want, but I know for a fact that I'd have a lot of company.

All-gender bathrooms are fine by me, but afaic, urinals need to be in a separate enclosed area, for the same reasons toilets are in enclosed stalls: so people can take care of their private activities in private, without having to witness the private activities of others.

I'll leave it to those who use urinals to decide whether to push for all urinals to be individually enclosed the way toilets are. I don't use urinals, so I don't need to have a vote on that.

[multigraincracker]

8. If they do I promise to lift the sest when I go and put the seat down when I'm done.

[niyad]

12. Thank you.

[Dem2theMax]

20. If only my brother had promised to do that when we were younger.

I 'fell in' on more than one occasion, because I didn't want to put the light on in the middle of the night and fully wake up. I could have killed him!

[Diamond_Dog]

32. I live in a house with three men, I encounter that all the time!

[niyad]

44. I am so sorry that you have to deal with that! Fortunately, the only

male in my house does not use the toilet.

[DBoon]

85. What's your dog's name?

[niyad]

89. I don't have a dog.

[DBoon]

94. Sorry, I assumed a male in the house who does not use the toilet must be canine

In our house, we have the his bathroom, the her bathroom, and the dog's bathroom.

The dog's bathroom is in the backyard by the fence.

[niyad]

95. Understood.

[sorcrow]

14. One of my favorite restaurants has great signage

It has a pair of unisex toilets.
The sign on the each door says, "Whatever, just wash your hands."

Best regards,
Sorghum Crow

[niyad]

16. LOVE IT!!!

One of my favourite restaurants has two bathrooms, one female (single toilet), one unisex (toilet and urinal). In all the many years it has been in business (well over 30), I have never heard anybody freaking out about it.

[3catwoman3]

91. Exactly!

[LNM]

112. One of my favorite restaurants has unisex bathrooms

that say "We don't give a damn!"

[Godot51]

18. Even in 2025...

... my house still has two, unisex toilets, but only one unisex bathroom.

Japanese private houses usually have separate rooms for ablutions, urination, and deification.

[niyad]

26. Thank you for this interesting information.

[eppur_se_muova]

105. Shouldn't deification be performed at an altar ? nt

[Figarosmom]

19. phyllis schlafly and her pink ladies

Scared and irritated me no end. She'd flash that sweet smile as she would fill a room with hate. She was pure evil, that woman.

Why does there even have to be urinals anyway? Men use toliots at home. Just make all public bathrooms unisex with stalls. Why make a big deal out of it?

[niyad]

25. She and I had several go- rounds in the fight for ERA. She in her pink

dress, her starched hair, and her pearls, spewing her hate and lies. To this day, I regret not running her over when I had the chance.

[Diamond_Dog]

33. That woman was pure evil.

[niyad]

40. She certainly was. I remember a piece the nasty warmonger wrote

for the reichwing rag "human events" where she said that people who would prefer not to die in a nuclear war were gutless cowards (paraphrasing). the rag did not print my response.

[Diamond_Dog]

43. OMG What a total POS she was

[niyad]

45. So true.

[karynnj]

47. It might be that urinals take less space

However, for large public bathrooms, there could be sinks and stalls in one area and lots of urinals accessed through a second door. It should be more efficient than the current separate rooms.

[Wifes husband]

102. Urinals

Urinals take less space. There are other benefits I won't address

[niyad]

108. Urinals are only useful for one of two functions in a bathhrom. And, since

one presumes that there are also toilets to accomodate the other need, which accomodates both functions, urinals could clearly be seen as an unnecessary expense.

[eppur_se_muova]

106. They take up less space and are simpler in design and maintenance -- iow, CHEAPER.

Always. follow. the money.

What's cheaper than a urinal ? A TROUGH. No, I'm not kidding. No privacy whatever. But damned cheap ! Water flows continuously, so no flush mechanism. One valve for the equivalent of a dozen urinals.

Worst I've ever seen looked like a large water fountain -- men taking a pee all faced inward, i.e. facing each other. Wonder who thought of that one.

Imagine being a shy young boy -- or one with special needs -- or one from a "religious" family where any form of nudity or exposure is considered shameful -- and trying to pee knowing everyone can see you.

[niyad]

107. Oh Dear Goddess, where was that little piece of insanity?

[eppur_se_muova]

109. Many, many years ago. I think in Denver, but that's uncertain. It was during a long trip through several states.

(I didn't even think to add, what about kids questioning their gender identity ? But I guess those are forbidden now, so that shouldn't come up.)

[niyad]

110. Possibly Denver??? Geez, will have to look that up. This state has done

some very odd things over the years.

[Intractable]

21. I think it's completely unfair that unisexuals get their own bathroom in places where there are no men's or ladies' room

What's the world coming to?

[niyad]

23. Snicker!!!

[eShirl]

22. The local YMCA calls them "Family Bathrooms" and has had them since the place was built.

I've always used those to shower in because they're much nicer (and more private) than the traditional locker rooms.

[niyad]

24. Thank you, that is very good to know.

[Happy Hoosier]

27. A local restaurant has the "correct" solution, IMO.

The have a one big bathroom area. One set of sinks. Then there are several stalls with full length walls and doors. Each stall has a toilet and a urinal. One extra room at the end has a several urinals.

It was "new" washing hands next to the wimmenz the first time, but it seemed like a much better solution. No one's privacy compromised, but no needless barriers either.

[niyad]

28. Any negative reactions from customers?

[Happy Hoosier]

29. Not that I saw....

... and I'm in deep red Indiana.

I think it strike people as "unusual" at first, but the stalls are completely private.

[niyad]

30. That is encouraging information.

[Allie2111016]

31. "Family bathrooms" have saved my bacon . . .

While traveling with my then one-year-old son, I stopped at rest areas along the way that had "family bathrooms". That saved my bacon. I was able to lock the door and do what I needed to do: change his diaper, clean him up, etc. while taking care of my own needs.

Starbucks has self-contained bathrooms where someone can lock the door and do what is necessary as well.

Is there any reason why we can't have self-contained bathrooms in public schools?

[niyad]

34. Welcome to our DU family. Would be interesting to know the costs

for all the different types of bathrooms as a possible factor.

[Diamond_Dog]

35. In some rightwing nutter areas

Politicians have actually BANNED the construction of self contained bathrooms in schools! How utterly sick is that!

[niyad]

37. WTAF???

[Diamond_Dog]

41. Let me see if I can find a link, niyad.

[niyad]

46. Thank you. What appallingly horrible people they are.

[niyad]

72. What flavour pizza do you prefer tonight? Are you truly this bored?

[marble falls]

78. Seriously, what kinda pizza you like?

[Diamond_Dog]

49. I think this is what I saw.

https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2025/01/29/bathroom-design-triggers-anti-transgender-backlash/

[niyad]

53. Darn, cannot read without accepting cookies.

[Diamond_Dog]

68. I will try to post the highlights here, niyad (or lowlights, if I'm being honest )

Financing approved for new school building in Tipp City, OH.

“Currently, design plans for the new building include three bathrooms with small, locking toilet rooms and communal hand washing spaces open to all students, regardless of gender.

On Jan. 21, some residents parroted anti-transgender sentiment regarding the design, which could be illegal to build and operate under Ohio’s new anti-transgender bathroom ban.”

(snip)

“Last year, lawmakers passed Senate Bill (SB) 104, requiring trans and otherwise gender expansive people to use the public restroom that corresponds with the gender marker on their original birth certificate.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signs anti-transgender ‘bathroom bill’ into law
The bill – which Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law on Nov. 27 – mandates that schools designate bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms and shower rooms for use exclusively by either “male” or “female” students.

The bill also explicitly prevents schools from building or maintaining a bathroom “designated as nongendered, multigendered, or open to all genders” if the bathroom can be accessed by more than one student at the same time.”

[niyad]

77. They waste our money on this hateful BS. Disgusting. Thank you for

posting the "lowlights"!!!

[Diamond_Dog]

84. YW niyad. I agree,

WAY too much time and $ is devoted to this warped hatefulness. I’ll bet if you ask the students in the schools themselves, they don’t see a problem at all.

[DBoon]

88. first few paragraphs

During a Jan 21, school board meeting in Tipp City, Ohio, some residents used anti-transgender rhetoric to publicly oppose designs for a new school bathroom.

Last year, residents in the rural village – located about 20 miles north of Dayton – approved an $87 million bond issue to help fund construction of the new school, which will house K-8 students.

Currently, design plans for the new building include three bathrooms with small, locking toilet rooms and communal hand washing spaces open to all students, regardless of gender.

On Jan. 21, some residents parroted anti-transgender sentiment regarding the design, which could be illegal to build and operate under Ohio’s new anti-transgender bathroom ban.

[niyad]

90. Thank you for this information.

[niyad]

74. Looks like we have our evening troll visit. ohhh my!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

65. Welcome to DU

[LNM]

69. None that I know

My Grandson’s HS has single stall, floor to ceiling (or close) walls. The kids don’t care. It’s homophobic adults doing the screaming.

[ShazzieB]

111. I'm guessing the reason is money.

I'm sure it costs a lot less to build one big room with several stalls than several separate rooms, each with its own toilet and sink plus a lockable door.

Money tends to be a barrier to a lot of good things where public, tax supported schools are concerned. GOP lawmakers are cheapskates, and all lawmakers have to answer to cheapskate voters who squeal like stuck pigs whenever anyone suggests spending an extra penny on anything.

There are a lot of nice things that we don't get to have because of this.

[Unwind Your Mind]

36. My husband is blind

Unfamiliar public bathrooms are a problem, although often someone nice will help him navigate

We really appreciate ‘family bathrooms’ where we can go in together

[niyad]

38. Thank you for sharing still another reason for family bathrooms. I am

glad to know that there are still kind and helpful people around.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

39. It's not about safety in bathrooms or fairness in sports. Logic and gotchas aren't the solution.

[niyad]

42. What would you suggest?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

48. Centering the people that these amoral rules and laws are trying to further marginalize, hurt and oppress.

I don't oppose them because I might catch a stray when taking care of someone. I oppose them because they're wrong and people are weird to focus on other people's private lives so obsessively.

[TommyT139]

104. Another reason to oppose them

...is that since rethugs are so freaked out about us trans folks, they are examining non trans people and harassing them or calling security.

The recent reports I've seen have not just been butch-presenting women, but Black [non trans] women, presumed to be trans.

(And that's to say nothing about the youth sports proof-of-gender examinations...)

[Emile]

57. Welcome to du. Pizza will be ready soon.

[niyad]

60. Darn, did I miss my own troll???

[Emile]

61. hahaha, you touched a nerve 🤣

[niyad]

63. Now that makes my day! Thank you!

[niyad]

75. Looks like our troll is back!

[Emile]

79. I see it too. Enjoyed the pizza so much, it

came back for seconds. Probably wearing a clown outfit in disguise.

[niyad]

82. Well, our catering department does make very good pizza! Look at

all the repeat customers!

[Emile]

83. LOL

[Emile]

87. Looks like our fascist clown got more pizza.

[niyad]

100. got a third helping!

[niyad]

99. Do you like our pizza that much?

[carpetbagger]

56. Never a problem in college.

1980s at a public university. Men's hall and men's bathroom. 5 stalls, 5 showers. We had women there in the day, overnight, and informally living on the hall.

This isn't a problem if the group is decent enough to expect standards of behavior, and political differences were never a problem (one guy became a cop, but not before getting kicked out of housing for squirrel hunting from the dorm windows, proto-MAGA all the way).

The rules were dress in the shower antechamber (whatever the "bench and towel" roomlet is called), two stalls designated for #1 and the others reserved for clean-seat stuff like #2 and women. No creepiness.
And it worked.

[maxsolomon]

59. The issue is multi-stall restrooms, not single-stall.

The fear is that AMAB trans or non-binary kids (or adults) will rape girls in those restrooms. That's the fear. It's not rational, it's not based on a shred of evidence, it's based on hypotheticals.

You can design multi-stall restrooms to provide acceptable levels of separation for all genders/sexes, but you can't retrofit existing ones successfully.

[jmowreader]

67. When my mother ran the expansion project for the St. Maries Public Library in the 1970s...

...the State of Idaho told her it was a requirement to have at least two restrooms.

"Oh...a men's room and a women's room?"
"No. A staff restroom and a public one."

So, that building has had an all-gender latrine for at least 50 years.

[niyad]

81. Thank you for that interesting information. In Idaho!

[LAS14]

71. Yup. nt

[surfered]

80. Everywhere in Europe

[niyad]

86. Some day we might actually look like an advanced nation, although

given current events, that does not seem likely.

[surfered]

92. May take a while

[niyad]

96. indeed!

[ShazzieB]

93. The topic of legislating which restroom prople can use alwys brings to mind cartoons like these...

The people who want to make such laws always claim they're meant to endorce the privacy of women and girls, but there is NO way to enforce a law like this without committing serious privacy violations!

[niyad]

97. Those are so appallingly on point.

[I-teach-kids]

101. I prefer to think of my trans sister..

As a woman. She is not a “unisex”. Should she be required to use the unisex bathroom when women’s bathroom is available?

If they ARE all Unisex, I can appreciate it.

If, however, she is required to use the unisex, I’m not OK with that.

Anymore than a cis male be required to use the unisex.

[OAITW r.2.0]

103. IMHO - here is how I see.

If you are a transgendered person- you will probably use the stall. Why is this a problem? If it's unisex, stalls or urinals. Your choice.