‘Gender-neutral’ bathroom week at Green River CC

This week is gender-neutral bathroom week on the campus of
Green River Community College in Auburn, Wash.

Although the student-led campaign is meant to raise
awareness for gay, lesbian and transgender issues, the
bathrooms are also meant for students with disabilities
who have a caregiver of the opposite sex.

Community bathrooms in five buildings on campus will have
gender-neutral signs outside this week, but will be
returned to normal next week.

“We haven’t turned every single bathroom on our campus
into gender-neutral,” said Dani Chang, Director of Student
Services, Leadership and Involvement.

Chang said there has been some concern among students
because of a “lack of knowledge.”

“If we can make students feel comfortable here and make
sure that we’re providing them with things that help them
be comfortable in an environment that they’re studying,
then why wouldn’t we do that?” said Chang, who called
access to facilities for all a “basic human right.”

Chang said that within the five affected buildings, 29
female stalls and 36 male stalls will be gender neutral.
Elsewhere on campus, there are 111 males stalls and 91
female stalls that are still gender specific.