Is the Democratic convention’s only all-gender bathroom a publicity stunt?

My introduction to the Democratic National Convention was being set up by talk-radio row. The first thing a lot of us realized was a sign on the bathroom directly across from us. The sign reads: “all-gender restroom.”

All of the other bathrooms in the arena appear to be more traditional, split by the sexes. Is it a coincidence that the all-gender restroom is right by the press booth?

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I went inside to take some photos. It appears that it’s just a women’s bathroom with the new sign on it.

Not everyone is happy. One woman who works at the arena walked by muttered something under her breath. I was there to talk a little bit more in depth with her.

“I don’t need no man in the next stall next to me while I go to the bathroom,” she told me. “So that means you could be [using the restroom] or something and I’m right there. It’s not right. And they say all the bathrooms are like this?

“We need a male and female. I’ve got personal business. I’m trying to keep it real. Seriously,” she added. “… It’s privacy. I need privacy. Ain’t no kids in here, but I need privacy. Simple as that.”

Is it the end of the world? No, of course not. It’s not a big deal. Is it a weird experience? Sure. We’re not used to it. But I think we will survive.

I added “experience” to the last paragraph to avoid some from taking my reaction to the stalls out of context, which, days later, are still no big deal.

The only #DNCinPHL gender neutral bathroom is right by the press. How about that? pic.twitter.com/WVJ7D9dhUj

— (((Jason Rantz))) (@jasonrantz) July 24, 2016

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