Toilet project aims to flush segregation
Print Edition
NOTIONS of identity are fluid, and yet we still have gender segregation, most notably in toilets. A Beijing health organization, however, wants to change attitudes toward sex and gender diversity and has designated “All Gender Toilets” across the city.
The Beijing Gender Health Education Institute launched the All Gender Toilets Program last month, there are now around 30 all gender toilets in cafes, bars and offices across the city.
The sign depicts three figures. The traditional male and female silhouettes are joined by an individual in a half dress-half trousers ensemble.
All Gender Toilet project manager Yang Gang hopes the campaign will help the public disregard gender distinctions.
Yang explained how his friend had been made to feel uncomfortable last month while shopping in Xidan, a commercial street in downtown Beijing.
“He is male only in gender, but dresses as a woman,” Yang said. “He walked into the male restroom but there were no free cubicles and he had to use the urinal. That attracted other people’s attention — a man with long hair, in skirt making water.”
Wang added: “The public security officers threw him out so that he would not ‘disturb’ the other guests. My friend felt terribly insulted.”
Two Cities Cafe is one of the places that now has an all gender toilet. Its owner Kenta Yeh said that none of his customers were shocked by the move. “(Our customers) are more accepting of people who are different.”
The UN Development Program lauded the initiative, the first of its kind in China.
Yang Gang does not expect all toilets to go gender neutral. The main aim of the project is to encourage discussion.
“We would like to see a change in people’s awareness, behavior, and opinions on sex and gender diversity,” he said.
Next, Yang Gang and his team, will release a map showing the locations of the city’s all gender toilets.
Yang Qingqing, a social anthropologist at Minzu University of China, said the project challenges traditional binary sex systems and creates space for all members of society.
Li Yinhe, a sociologist and sexologist, called for the program to be rolled out nationwide.
“The project will help transgender people, who are a minority group in China,” Li said. “It will go some way to securing transgender people the social recognition and respect they deserve.”
The All Gender Toilet Project is not all about gender equality. It will also help ease the problem of toilet allocation for women across the country.
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