Elizabethtown College’s administration  installed a new gender-neutral bathroom in Wenger Center.

“First, for those who are transitioning, [gender-neutral restrooms] provide a safe space [for members of the campus] to use the bathroom without facing ridicule or potential bullying. Likewise, for gender-queer individuals who do not identify with the gender binary, the bathroom is also a safe space free from embarrassment and fear,” Visiting Assistant Professor of Women and Gender Studies Dr. Amy Milligan stated.

Gender-neutral bathrooms are not a new idea; Philadelphia recently passed a law requiring city-owned buildings to include gender-neutral bathrooms.

“This decision represents an important move for Elizabethtown College in showing its support of trans and gender queer students, faculty and staff,” Milligan said.

“Hopefully, we will continue to be in conversation about what the College community can do to help all Blue Jays feel safe and affirmed in their self-identities,” Milligan said. “Many of us take for granted that we can simply use bathrooms wherever and whenever we please. This is not the case for many of our trans students, which is why this change is so important.”

The new gender-neutral bathroom has an external lock, which creates a single occupancy bathroom. “Most restrooms on our campus were designed as single-gender facilities with multiple stalls — so they aren’t easily converted to gender-neutral facilities.  The restrooms in Wenger [Center] and a few in Alpha Hall are smaller spaces with one stall making it easier to adapt them for use by all member of the community,” Dean of Students Marianne Calenda said.

There are no plans to add additional gender-neutral bathrooms throughout the rest of campus; however, the gender-neutral bathroom in Wenger Center is open to faculty, staff, students and visitors to the College.

“Neutral restrooms address the needs of faculty, staff and students as well as visitors to the campus regardless of gender,” Dean of Students Marianne Calenda said.