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'De-gendered' toilets spark row | 'De-gendered' toilets spark row |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A row has broken out at the University of Manchester after its students' union toilets were "de-gendered". | A row has broken out at the University of Manchester after its students' union toilets were "de-gendered". |
Temporary signs have made the "ladies" simply "toilets", while the "gents" have become "toilets with urinals". | Temporary signs have made the "ladies" simply "toilets", while the "gents" have become "toilets with urinals". |
The changes are in response to an unspecified number of complaints from trans students who are uncomfortable using the men's toilets. | The changes are in response to an unspecified number of complaints from trans students who are uncomfortable using the men's toilets. |
A university newspaper criticised the move but the student union said it was needed to tackle transphobia. | A university newspaper criticised the move but the student union said it was needed to tackle transphobia. |
There are no figures on the number of transsexual and transgender students believed to be among the university's population of more than 35,000 students. | There are no figures on the number of transsexual and transgender students believed to be among the university's population of more than 35,000 students. |
The students' union welfare office declined to reveal the number of complaints, but said it was an important issue. | The students' union welfare office declined to reveal the number of complaints, but said it was an important issue. |
A student newspaper editorial questioned the wisdom of the move | A student newspaper editorial questioned the wisdom of the move |
Women's officer Jennie Killip told the BBC: "If you were born female, still present quite feminine, but define as a man you should be able to go into the men's toilets - if that's how you define. | |
"You don't necessarily have had to have gender reassignment surgery, but you could just define yourself as a man, feel very masculine in yourself, feel that in fact being a woman is not who you are." | "You don't necessarily have had to have gender reassignment surgery, but you could just define yourself as a man, feel very masculine in yourself, feel that in fact being a woman is not who you are." |
Asked about the change, some female students questioned the move. | Asked about the change, some female students questioned the move. |
One said: "Girls might not want to use the same toilets as boys, so then you just end up with people complaining about that - so you can't really win. | One said: "Girls might not want to use the same toilets as boys, so then you just end up with people complaining about that - so you can't really win. |
Another told the BBC: "I personally wouldn't want to be in the same toilet as a man." | Another told the BBC: "I personally wouldn't want to be in the same toilet as a man." |
The move prompted an editorial in campus newspaper Student Direct last week which criticised the new arrangements. | The move prompted an editorial in campus newspaper Student Direct last week which criticised the new arrangements. |
Newspaper spokeswoman Susannah Birkwood said: "The toilets have been provided for men who don't self identify as men and women who don't think of themselves as women. | Newspaper spokeswoman Susannah Birkwood said: "The toilets have been provided for men who don't self identify as men and women who don't think of themselves as women. |
"Whether or not this is political correctness gone mad.. because it certainly seems that way to some members of our student community." | "Whether or not this is political correctness gone mad.. because it certainly seems that way to some members of our student community." |
Union officials have rejected the criticism and permanent signs for its first gender neutral toilets are being made. | Union officials have rejected the criticism and permanent signs for its first gender neutral toilets are being made. |
Almost 60 people, including Ms Killip, have signed a letter to the student newspaper criticising the editorial. | Almost 60 people, including Ms Killip, have signed a letter to the student newspaper criticising the editorial. |
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