For most people, using public restrooms is simply part of their daily routines. But for transgender individuals, choosing a single-sex bathroom can be a fault line of discomfort and discrimination. 

That fault line is shrinking at Wichita State. Next year, the renovated Rhatigan Student Center will include a gender-neutral bathroom on every floor. 

In some states, entering a restroom of the opposite sex is a felony. It’s a cause for discrimination in others. Transgender people who haven’t undergone their sex-change operation run the risk of being ridiculed or “outed” about their anatomy, or even abused by others who don’t understand gender disorientation. 

Sixteen states have passed laws prohibiting discrimination toward transgender people since 1975. Kansas isn’t one of them. However, most major Kansas universities have included gender identity in their non-discrimination policies – the University of Kansas, Washburn University and Kansas State University. WSU has not. 

Gender-neutral bathrooms on campus may not be welcome by some students.

“Any time in Kansas when we’re dealing with LGBT civil rights there’s a controversy,” Jennifer Pearson, faculty advisor for That Gay Group!, said. For those who prefer to use single sex bathrooms, they can continue to do so.

“It (the restroom) will be looked strangely upon,” senior Matthew Blick said. “I’m not sure if we’re ready for that, to tell you the truth.”

The bathrooms will be single stall, Wade Robinson, vice president for Campus Life and University Relations, said. Families with small children may also take advantage of the single stall bathroom. He said that the RSC isn’t the first building in campus to have gender neutral restrooms, also known as unisex or family bathrooms. 

“That’s part of any design for any new building concept today,” Robinson said. 

He said many other campuses have implemented gender-neutral bathrooms, including the University of Kansas, University of Washington and New York University. 

It’s a small step in knocking down the gender labels transgender people encounter each day, and ensuring they feel accepted. Private locker rooms and transgender options on forms and surveys are more possibilities for making transgender individuals welcome in society. Several colleges even include gender neutral floors in their dormitories. But more important than practical measures is understanding. 

“I would definitely advocate for a gender and sexuality center on campus as a step in bringing awareness to students about those issues,” Pearson said.

Overall, it’s a big stride for a community that isn’t taught about gender disorientation. While gay and lesbian rights are at the forefront of political issues, transgender issues aren’t as widely discussed. Although transgender people feel accepted, gender-neutral bathrooms could be the beginning.

“It’s saying ‘we don’t care what your body parts are. We care about you’,” Chieraqui Kemmerly, senior, said.