Gender-neutral bathrooms coming soon to AUT

AUT University is being praised by the LGBTQI community for ensuring gender-neutral bathrooms will be included in new buildings across all AUT campuses.

Strategic asset development manager Suzanne Webb confirmed the university would include gender-neutral toilet facilities in all upcoming developments, some scheduled to open in less than a year.

“Gender-neutral bathrooms will be available through each building but not necessarily on each floor,” says Ms Webb.

The move was applauded by members of the LGBTQI community, including AUT senior lecturer Lexie Matheson, who considered the news “a really big step forward”.

She believes AUT's initiative to include specifically designated gender-neutral bathrooms is the first of its kind for tertiary institutions in New Zealand.

As the only Rainbow Tick accredited University in New Zealand, AUT is at the forefront of LBGTQI issues, said Ms Matheson.

“A university caters for everybody. We don’t want special treatment. We just want equal treatment.”

Two Wellington secondary schools, Wellington High School and Onslow College have also recently decided to install gender-neutral bathrooms.

Stace Robertson and Duncan Matthews, founders of local business and website genderneutral.co.nz, design, engrave and sell gender-neutral bathroom signs to support gender diverse communities.

Thirty-four per cent of profits of go to Rainbow Youth.

Having received orders both locally and internationally, Mr Robertson and Mr Matthews feel optimistic that progress is taking place.

Mr Matthews, who is also the executive director of Rainbow Youth, says the significance of gender-neutral bathrooms should not be underestimated and offer an important message to the LGBTQI community.

Ms Matheson said most people are understanding but “there's always pushback from some people”.

In particular, Ms Matheson said misinformation has lead to fears that gender-neutral bathrooms will attract sexual predators who will target children.

“Of course, there has never been a single instance of that ever happening.”

Mr Robertson labelled such claims “scaremongering”, saying that gender neutral bathrooms promote safety for everyone.

“Trans-women probably are some of the most targeted and abused people in the wider community so I think to use them as a scapegoat is really offensive.”

The first building to include gender-neutral bathrooms will be MH on the University’s south campus, opening in 2017 at the start of semester one. More plans will be unveiled at the city campus when the ETD building on St Paul St opens in semester one, 2018.