CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — During Pride Month, the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing ( ISGMH ) is thrilled to announce that Northwestern University is the first major university in Chicago to offer a gender-neutral, multi-stall restroom.
Francesca Gaiba, research associate professor of Medical Social Sciences and associate director of ISGMH, stated, "ISGMH is proud to be the first unit on the Northwestern campus to have a gender-neutral, multi-stall restroom, and to be a trailblazer in supporting civil and health equity." She continued, "We hope to inspire other universities to do the same."
Safe access to restrooms for transgender and gender nonconforming people has been cause of debate across the country. Lack of access can have negative effects on health and safety; it is important to take steps to remove barriers in order to reduce instances of harassment and threats of violence.
Northwestern University joins over 150 other universities and colleges in offering a safe space for individuals to use the restroom. Other universities have made strides in supporting the transgender and gender non-conforming community by offering single-stall, gender-neutral restrooms. ISGMH has taken this a step further by instating amulti-stall restroom that is open to people of all genders, however they may identify.
ISGMH and Northwestern University place the health and safety of their faculty, staff, and students as top priority and are thrilled to be a leader in the gender-neutral bathroom debate among universities in Chicago and the Midwest.