기사 메일전송
Is a Gender-Neutral Toilet Truly for Everyone?
  • 최보윤 기자
  • 등록 2022-03-15 08:45:10
기사수정


 Starting in 2013 in China, gender-neutral toilets have been established worldwide. Some countries such as the United States and Canada are leading this toilet culture. The United States established gender-neutral toilets in the White House in 2015 and Canada introduced gender-neutral toilets in public facilities. As there is an increasing number of gender-neutral toilets successfully being operated in several countries, there has recently begun a movement to introduce gender-neutral toilets in Korea. Although gender-neutral toilets are still unfamiliar to Koreans, one presidential candidate pledged to install them and make the discussion about them active. 


 A gender-neutral toilet is a bathroom that can be used freely by anyone, including the LGBTQ+ people, the disabled, the elderly, and pregnant women, as its slogan is 'bathroom for everyone.' Gender-neutral toilets are easily confused with unisex toilets in that there is no separation by gender. However, there is a clear difference in the purpose of installation from unisex toilets. In most cases, unisex toilets are built when there isn't enough space to separate into two toilets by gender. While unisex toilets simply mean a facility that men and women can share, gender-neutral toilets have a specific purpose to protect and respect minorities. In particular, transgender and intersex people suffer from discomfort and violence when entering either women's or men's bathrooms. This circumstance makes them avoid using public toilets, so they are likely to have cystitis and hemorrhoids. Gender-neutral toilets are getting attention as a solution to this problem, and they are expected to provide a safe bathroom environment and improve inequality.


 A basic form of gender-neutral toilets is a 'room' with a lock, toilet, and sink. Since the shared space is minimized and all facilities can be used individually in the room, unnecessary contact with others is reduced. Thus, LGBTQ+ people who suffer from others' eyes and men who don't have proper screens in their bathroom can use it comfortably. It also can benefit infants and women who need to use sanitary products because they can use the sink immediately in the room. In addition, even if people who should be accompanied by a caregiver are of a different gender to their caregiver, they can freely use it without worrying about whether to enter the women's or men's bathroom or giving up accompanying the other person. Gender-neutral toilets are creating a safer environment in this aspect. Furthermore, by not making disabled toilets separate and installing safety bars in every room, it prevents the users of disabled toilets from being stigmatized as weak. 


 However, each room requires a large space, so it is hard to build enough rooms. For this reason, gender-neutral toilets are difficult to establish in small buildings and even if they are installed, there will be a long waiting queue. Each room also requires various installations. Economic problems are inevitable since the total cost is about $40 on average. Most of all, the fear of sex crime is the biggest negative opinion regarding gender-neutral toilets. Because two people can enter one room together and it is hard to know what is happening in the room, gender-neutral toilets can turn into a dangerous place. The structure of the toilet is not a direct cause of sexual assault, but still, it may provoke people with criminal intent to commit a crime. Gender-neutral toilets are intended to provide social inclusiveness for minorities, but they may also threaten people's safety.




 "At present in Korea, it is a cardinal principle to classify men's and women's bathrooms unless they are officially recognized as an exception according to the Public Toilets Act. There are not only economic limits and concerns about crime, but also legal issues. Gender-neutral toilets were designed with the good intention of creating a better society, but establishing them in Korea doesn't seem easy. However, if we all empathize with the message of embracing minorities and try to break prejudices and stereotypes, everyone will be able to enjoy a comfortable and safe daily life, regardless of the form of bathrooms."



75th Reporter • CHOI HYUN JEONG • chj010627@naver.com

76th Reporter • CHOI BO YOUN • invierno.y@kyonggi.ac.kr

TAG
0
모바일 버전 바로가기