SAN Debuts Gender Neutral Restrooms

[kandi.dolfen]

San Diego Airport Debuts Gender Neutral Restrooms, Tuesday, March 3, 2015 By KPBS News
The San Diego International Airport changed the signs on 12 of its single-stall public restrooms about a month ago, according to U-T San Diego. The new signs have individual drawings of a man, woman, baby and a figure that could be interpreted as half-man/half-woman. The signs also say, "Anyone can use this restroom, regardless of gender identity or expression." The single-stall restrooms with the new signs are in all the terminals at Lindbergh Field except the small Commuter Terminal. The San Diego LGBT Weekly also has covered the new restroom signs at the airport, and in an opinion piece, questioned if the symbols on the sign could be improved.
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Looking at these signs, the 1/2 M. & 1/2 W. figure appears odd and not the image Trans persons would like to show the visitors. Maybe a multi-color Pride like sign would be more welcome.
my $0.02 worth

[annie]

> The signs also say, "Anyone can use this restroom, regardless of gender
> identity or expression."

Thinking critically about this (to question is the answer!) I'm wondering if this sends, or even if it's intended to send the wrong message or a double message.

"Anyone can use THIS restroom" (emphasis mine) can indeed mean just that, the gender-neutral restroom is available to all, which actually has been the case since gender-neutral restrooms started commonly appearing a few decades ago.

Another message it may send, however, is that TGs SHOULD use that restroom, instead of the usual gender designated rooms.

> Looking at these signs, the 1/2 M. & 1/2 W. figure appears odd and not
> the image Trans persons would like to show the visitors.

LOL, the chance of any significant number of TG people to agree on an icon to represent them is very small!

I don't speak for everyone, of course, but it's my impression that most of those I know in our community would prefer to be identified with one of the usual W or M icons and not a half-and-half or anything like that.

However, many of the (often younger) folks who identify as genderqueer or "none of the above" may prefer to identify with that icon.

[kandi.dolfen]

< Another message it may send, however, is that TGs SHOULD use that restroom, instead of the usual gender designated rooms. >

Yes, it could mean TGs should be 'herded' into certain restrooms instead the mainstream ones. Worse yet, TGs are not welcome in the women's restroom. When I'm visiting places in Vegas, I always use the women's restrooms to gauge the comfort level. I've had no incidents of trouble and on my most recent trip (Feb.'15) I was invited to join a GG headed that way. Oh yes!

SAN airport doesn't get it and this town has some growing up to do.

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Gina
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I find it annoying but at the same time a good thing for many of the
same reasons Annie said.

Gina


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(This posting was entered by Gina, an external user of MyDLV.)

[External Poster]

This posting is from: Hollye Merton
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Well analyzed Annie!



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(This posting was entered by Hollye Merton, an external user of MyDLV.)

[annie]

> Well analyzed Annie!

Thanks.

You also may be able to help me understand this icon here which I saw posted at the entrance to a restroom:

http://www.geekbabe.com/dlv/mydlv/image ... 566516.jpg