The Bathroom Question

A fight for gender neutral bathrooms at CK.

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Victoria Steffee

These posters fill the hallway, but are they more than paper?

by Victoria Steffee, Editor

October 31, 2017

Gender neutral bathrooms are a hotbed issue for many schools across the country. There is no way to decide it in a single article, which is why it is best to simply present the facts of the matter.

A gender neutral bathroom is similar to a family bathroom. Although all genders can use either one of them, a gender neutral bathroom is like any other restroom in the school, stalls included, with the exception that anyone could use it. Brandon Rodriguez, the President of GSA, is invested deeply in the issue.

Victoria Steffee
When it comes to the bathroom, not everyone is smiling.

“I believe it would have a major impact,” Rodriguez stated. The only “gender neutral” restroom currently available at CK is the one in the nurse’s office, which is rarely a viable option for people. He estimates that, “at least a hundred,” people need a gender neutral bathroom at CK. That means six percent of the school is in need.

“It wouldn’t hurt them [people against gender neutral bathrooms],” one student argues. They are trans, and would greatly appreciate having access to a bathroom they could be comfortable with.

On the other hand, a student against having gender neutral bathrooms worries about the financial aspect of building another restroom. They  do respect people who would use a gender neutral bathroom, but they do not want one at CK.

“I would rather use the money for supplies,” they confessed. CKHS needs all the money it can get, especially with the new school. They do not believe that a gender neutral bathroom is necessary at this point.

The student body needs more information concerning the issue in order to make a solid decision concerning gender neutral bathrooms.

A survey was conducted, where 150 random students were asked “Do you want a gender neutral bathroom?”

Victoria Steffee

48 percent of students surveyed do not care about the issue.

17.8 percent said yes, they want gender neutral bathrooms.

34.2 percent gave resounding no’s.