The Bathroom Problem

Gender Binary – Cultural/Societal Construction

The Bathroom Problem is a complication faced

by individuals that cannot “pass” for either male or female with conviction, when perceived by strangers in public spaces. The aforementioned individuals do not have a space in many cases, in which they can take care of their bodily functions with peace of mind when in public areas. In a binary bathroom system, where can an individual that does not undeniably pass for male or female relieve themselves with peace of mind and comfort?

What is The Bathroom Problem?

Choose your consequence

In a matter of 6 words, this photo does a good job suggesting the likely consequences faced by individuals affected by gender dysphoria - that use public restrooms. Either get yelled at by women, or get beat up by men. Anyone that fails to “pass” is likely to experience discrimination by others. However, discrimination is not limited to individuals affected by gender dysphoria.

Binary Bathroom System

Is this the solution?

Perhaps this can work in public bathrooms designed to be used by one person at a time.

The future?

Gender Binary – Cultural/Societal

Construction Gender and sex are

complex subjects, that is for certain. What will the future look like in regard to gender and sex?

I identify myself as a man, that expresses himself in a androgynous manner, I was born and remain male, and my sexual orientation is heterosexual. How do you see yourself?

How many bathroom categories ought to exist?

Is three a safe number? Two is definitely NOT cutting it. Perhaps this is the answer

I believe there should be three bathroom categories, male, female, and gender-neutral.

Grant High's transgender students get unisex bathroom

option Scott Morrison, 17, a

transgendered student at Grant High School, would refrain from drinking water during his school day because using the bathroom was so stressful. He says the conversion of six bathrooms at the Northeast Portland school is a "godsend.“ Thomas Boyd/The Oregonian

Born this way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV1FrqwZyKw 5:19 – 5:50

Don't be a drag, just be a queenWhether you're broke or evergreenYou're black, white, beige, chola descentYou're Lebanese, you're orientWhether life's disabilitiesLeft you outcast, bullied, or teasedRejoice and love yourself today'cause baby you were born this way

No matter gay, straight, or bi,Lesbian, transgendered life,I'm on the right track baby,I was born to survive.No matter black, white or beigeChola or orient made,I'm on the right track baby,I was born to be brave.

~ Lady Gaga’s Born This Way

Gender-Neutral Restrooms Become The

Law http://

www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/LGBT-Gender-Neutral-Restrooms-206932591.html

Legislation signed into action by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter requires new or renovated city-owned buildings to include gender-neutral bathrooms aside from traditional men’s and women’s bathrooms.

Gender Binary – Cultural/Societal Construction Too funny not to share. “To

be happy, we must admit women and men aren’t ‘equal’ .”

FoxNews.com

Trading Places

Trading Places starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy is an interesting film that deals with the nature v. nurture argument.

What makes us male, female, or none of the above? Is it our decision at the end of the day? According to one of my friends, she knew someone that grew up in a traditional/conservative household, yet his sexual orientation was homosexual. Some people argue that, “they are born this way” which implies sexual orientation is influenced by genes. Clearly environment did not prevail in the case of my friend’s friend, and many people do not support the “born this way” argument. In fact, some people take offense to that manner of thinking, as if there is something wrong with being homosexual or bisexual. Choice in terms of sexual orientation comes down to gender identity and how we feel/think about ourselves. I feel like a man, thus I am one.

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll

Gender expression stereotypes

Freedom of gender expression

We’re Not Gonna Take It

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xmckWVPRaI 0:55 – 1:52

OH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE ITNO, WE AIN'T GONNA TAKE ITOH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE

WE'VE GOT THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE ANDTHERE AIN'T NO WAY WE'LL LOSE ITTHIS IS OUR LIFE, THIS IS OUR SONGWE'LL FIGHT THE POWERS THAT BE JUSTDON'T PICK OUR DESTINY 'CAUSEYOU DON'T KNOW US, YOU DON'T BELONG

OH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE ITNO, WE AIN'T GONNA TAKE ITOH WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE

The End

Works Cited Basilio, Olivia. "LGB Minus The T: Discrimination Against The Trans." Presentationvoice.com. N.p., 17

Dec. 2013. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. "FLUFF: Rihanna vs Diana, and a New Baby for A-list Actor But…." Mamamia FLUFF Rihanna vs Diana

and a New Baby for Alist Actor but Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. "Freedressing Campaign." Freedressing Campaign. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. "Gender-Neutral Bathroom Signs Spark Controversy | SmartSign Blog." SmartSign Blog. N.p., n.d.

Web. 27 Apr. 2014. "Gender-Neutral Restrooms Become the Law." NBC 10 Philadelphia. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. "Grant High's Transgender Students Get Unisex Bathroom Option." The Oregonian. N.p., n.d. Web.

27 Apr. 2014. "Mens Restroom Signs | Womens Restroom Signs | Handicapped Bathroom Signs | Family." Office

Signs, Conference Room Signs, Restroom Door Signs & Medical Name Plates. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.

"No More Strangers: LGBT Mormon Forum." No More Strangers LGBT Mormon Forum. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.

"Public Restroom Sign of the Future." Public Restroom Sign of the Future. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.

"Trading Places." IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. "Traditional Gender Stereotypes. by TheArchosaurQueen on DeviantART." Traditional Gender

Stereotypes. by TheArchosaurQueen on DeviantART. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.

References