Provide accessible, gender-neutral toilets
Suggestion for implementing the strategy ‘Address immediate environmental, physical and social needs’
On this page:
On this page:
Current page section: Provide accessible, gender-neutral toilets
Go to top of current page: Provide accessible, gender-neutral toilets
Go to top of current page: Provide accessible, gender-neutral toilets
Go to top of current page: Provide accessible, gender-neutral toilets
Understand threats to wellbeing
Understand threats to wellbeing
Many LGBTIQA+ students:
- have experienced verbal slurs relating to gender identity
- are worried about threats of physical harm or harassment
- feel uncomfortable getting changed in front of others
- are unable to access a space aligned to their gender identity
- “hold on” or have to travel longer distances to get to assigned safe spaces
- need to change in spaces with peers who have caused harassment.
Source: Why transgender students need safe bathrooms (opens in a new tab/window)
Ask students about their experiences
Ask students about their experiences
When I was about nine I had an incident at school where another girl said,
“Aren’t you in the wrong toilets?”
So I stopped using toilets in public altogether.
It was such an awkward experience and I didn’t want to repeat it so I just stopped drinking water and went to the toilet at home.
14-year-old trans student
Invest in inclusive signage options
Invest in inclusive signage options
Review toilet facility options to ensure students have choices of appropriate spaces.
![10939 [restroom-is-for-everyone.png]](https://inclusive-live-storagestack-assetstorages3bucket-3uty0hejzw6u.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/public/inclusive-education/example-images/restroom-is-for-everyone__ScaleMaxWidthWzEwODZd.png)
Source: GenderNeutral.co.nz (opens in a new tab/window)
Build code-compliant toilets
Build code-compliant toilets
Gender-neutral toilets must comply with the New Zealand Building Code, which states that:
- each facility must be in a self-contained unit with full-height doors and walls to maintain privacy
- each facility must contain a toilet, basin, and sanitary item disposal area (where required)
- each facility must be located so that access is not through an area restricted to one sex.
Source: Supporting transgender student inclusion in a changing legal environment (opens in a new tab/window)
Useful resources
Useful resources
Toilet Reference Designs for School Buildings in New Zealand: Toilets
Publisher: Ministry of Education | Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga
Compliance document for New Zealand building code clause G1 personal hygiene – second edition
Read time: 46 min
Publisher: Department of Building and Housing
Download PDF
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Address immediate environmental, physical and social needs”:
-
Current page Provide accessible, gender-neutral toilets
Return to the guide “Supporting LGBTIQA+ students”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: LGBTIQA+ students
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Build knowledge of sex, gender, and sexuality diversityShow suggestions for Build knowledge of sex, gender, and sexuality diversity
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Design inclusive school-wide systems and processesShow suggestions for Design inclusive school-wide systems and processes
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Address immediate environmental, physical and social needsShow suggestions for Address immediate environmental, physical and social needs
- Respond to bullying
- Address equitable uniform options
- Provide accessible, gender-neutral toilets
- Provide safe spaces and changing rooms and school trips
- Provide access to youth-friendly health care services
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Develop an inclusive classroom and curriculumShow suggestions for Develop an inclusive classroom and curriculum
