You may have recently noticed new signage on campus for gender-neutral toilets. This signage programme is piece of work that came out of our new Gender Identity policy for staff and students (to be released soon).

Our trans and non-binary community members can find more information about the use of toilets and other facilities in our Statement of Trans Equality. In addition to the provision of gendered toilet spaces, gender-neutral toilets are necessary for the following reasons:

  • We have community members who do not identify as men or women. Gender-neutral toilets provide facilities which are more appropriate for non-binary staff and students.
  • Whilst trans staff and students can use the facilities with which they identify, they may not feel safe to do so.
  • These spaces are helpful when people may be early on in understanding their gender identity or may not be fully comfortable or open about their gender identity.
  • There are instances where members of our community who don’t identify as trans or non-binary would prefer to use a gender-neutral toilet.
  • Some trans people (including trans men and some non-binary people) also need a safe space to change sanitary products.

In addition to this, our SU has an official stance on gender-neutral toilets which states: "all university-managed buildings should have accessible and gender-neutral toilet facilities available which are clean and fit for use."

It is important that while we consider the availability of gender-neutral toilets on campus, this is balanced with the need for continued access to gendered toilet facilities. Ensuring that the current gendered provision for women was not eroded is an important consideration in this ongoing project.

As part of this programme of work, the Student Support team leading on the project consulted with students, academics, Estates, the SU, and Kaleidoscope staff LGBT+ group.

Further to this initial activity, we will be looking at provision of gender-neutral toilets going forward, as well as other gender-neutral facilities such as changing rooms and wet rooms for cyclists.