Gender neutral washrooms

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It’s been a few weeks now since the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) introduced gender neutral washrooms in four of its schools.

The washrooms, which are open to all students, were installed to give students more privacy. But while the idea is groundbreaking, it is still a work in progress.

It has been less than a month since Westdale Secondary School opened the doors to its gender neutral washroom.

According to the school’s principal, the bathroom is a hit.

Timothy Powell-McBride, Principal, Westdale Secondary School: “It has been extremely positive, a lot of relief for some and for some just excitement about ‘hey that’s great to have this here’.”

Westdale is among four high schools in Hamilton that opened gender-neutral bathrooms this year.

At Westdale, the washrooms are meant for all students, whether it’s for gender identity reasons or for students who are looking for a little more privacy.

Powell-McBride: “In a school this size, it means kids can have a more private place as well. It is not just for certain kids it is for everyone.

The sign on the washroom at Westdale reads: “A single occupancy bathroom”, which describes what it is rather than who it is for.

But a lack of signage at Sir Allan MacNab Secondary caused confusion and concern for one student.

Madeline Kelly, grade 11 student, Sir Allan MacNab Secondary: “When I first looked at them, you could go in with multiple people, the door didn’t lock. It wasn’t for single use.

A tour of the bathroom at MacNab Secondary revealed minimal signage, but the door does lock.

The Hamilton Wentworth District School Board says communication with the student body is ongoing.

Sharon Stephanian, Superintendent of Leadership and Learning, HWDSB: “If there is a need to step back and add additional signage perhaps on the other door that is inside then we are happy to do that.”

The school board says the plan to install gender neutral washrooms has been in the works for several months.

The school board also says they are looking at a long term system approach, so right now the signage that you would see is responsive to the community that the school serves.