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 LGBTQIA+ 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)
Useful resources
Useful resources
Toilet Reference Designs for School Buildings in New Zealand: Toilets
The Toilet Reference Design Guide for New Zealand schools will help design teams and schools to design new toilets. Whilst the main intended users of this document are property professionals, Boards of Trustees and other people who make decisions about school property may also find it useful.
Compliance document for New Zealand building code clause G1 personal hygiene – second edition
Read time: 46 min
This document sets out the New Zealand Building Code requirements for personal hygiene facilities.
Publisher: Department of Building and Housing
School installs toilet for transgender pupil, aged 6
Article about a primary school installing a unisex toilet to help a child feel safe and accepted at school. New Zealand Herald May 2016.
Publisher: New Zealand Herald
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Address immediate environmental, physical and social needs”:
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Current page Provide accessible, gender-neutral toilets
Return to the guide “Supporting LGBTQIA+ students”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: LGBTQIA+ 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
