More transgender bathrooms in rec center, please

The Sex and Gender Equality Task Force at Portland State is hoping to increase the number of gender-neutral bathrooms in the new recreational center, after meetings with building planners last week.

Plans were outlined for increased gender neutral accommodations at a Nov. 5 meeting between building planners and the Sex and Gender Equality Task (SAGE) force, said Stephanie Jahnke, SAGE volunteer and program administratior of PSU’s conflict resolution graduate program.

Preliminary plans for the center included two private family changing rooms outside of the locker rooms and one gender-neutral bathroom in the six-story center, Jahnke said.

Jahnke proposed the revision of these plans at the Nov. 5 meeting. The new plans include private shower stalls and private changing areas within the locker rooms themselves, as well as the addition of another bathroom, she said.

A major goal of the group, said Jahnke, is to provide students with safe, private, gender-neutral bathrooms on campus.

According to the SAGE resource guide, there are currently 15 neutral, single occupancy restrooms on campus-a number that representatives and members of SAGE agree needs to expand.

Jahnke said she first became aware of the need for private restrooms for transgender students during her own transition three years ago. It was then that she met a student who planned their entire academic career around the placement of gender-neutral bathrooms on campus.

“If you can’t go to the bathroom, how can you get an education?” Jahnke said. “It is a basic fundamental need-you need one you can feel safe in so you can be fully a part of the academic experience.”

Jahnke also said the building of new private bathrooms in previously established buildings is near impossible because of cost and plumbing structure. As a result the group began to focus on making sure all future structures built on campus would be better facilitated.

Plans for the addition of more gender neutral restrooms on campus also are heavily advocated and supported by the Queer Resource Center and the Queer Alliance, said C. Morgan, volunteer for the QRC and Student Coordinator for Queers and Allies.

C. Morgan sees the building of gender-neutral showers and restrooms as a major goal of the work of the QRC as well, something C. Morgan feels that PSU is not up to speed in addressing.

The recreation center will open fall 2009. Decisions over the number of transgender bathrooms will be decided on in the coming weeks.