Should You Install Gender-Neutral Toilets?
As a society, we are striving forward with progressive attitudes launched forward by younger generations and the art of being ‘woke’. For those who don’t know, ‘being woke’ means being alert to prejudice and discrimination, and this societal expectation is quickly dominating the professional world.
Millennials and Gen Z alike are pushing for more acceptance and accessibility to suit every need and requirement. Plus, within the growing umbrella of the LGBTQ+, you may have had the idea of a gender-neutral washroom floated by you.
But what does this mean, how will it impact your property, and should you install a gender-neutral toilet?
What Are Gender-Neutral Toilets?
A gender-neutral washroom is a simple concept on paper. Instead of having a washroom featuring urinals for men and a washroom with sanitary bins for women, combine the two to have one inclusive space. However, there are a few changes implemented to create a fair and safe space for all gender identities. For example, modesty features can be added to urinals and installed separately from the main washroom. Each cubicle should also contain a sanitary bin, and communal trough-type sinks could be installed.
Introducing a gender-neutral washroom is an opportunity to give those who do not fall into the CIS genders a safe and welcoming space. As a bathroom is where we are most vulnerable, it's important to make staff or visitors feel safe on your property. Just like with the need for accessible washroom facilities, they must now also be inclusive.
Are Gender Neutral Toilets a Legal Requirement?
Gender-neutral toilets are not a legal requirement in the UK, so if you do not have the space to accommodate this, it is not a necessity. The UK law states that all public buildings should have separate female and male washroom facilities following a call for evidence in a review of the rise of gender-neutral toilets in 2022.
However, it is an encouraged addition if you have the space to accommodate a gender-neutral bathroom in addition to the typical male and female-designated spaces.
Gender-neutral bathrooms require a lot more space than a traditional bathroom facility to accommodate the use of all gender identities. However, there is no regulation in place specifying how large a gender-neutral washroom must be. To give you an idea of the amount of space needed to accommodate this washroom facility, we can look at the guidance provided by the HSE in accordance with the number of toilets and wash basins needed per number of people onsite.
● 1-5 People: 1 Toilet & Wash Basin
● 6-25 People: 2 Toilets & Wash Basins
● 26-50 People: 3 Toilets & Wash Basins
● 51-75 People: 4 Toilets & Wash Basins
● 76-100 People: 5 Toilets & Wash Basins
Advantages of a Gender-Neutral Toilet
So, suppose you have the space to accommodate a gender-neutral bathroom. In that case, you may wonder whether the installation is a good addition to your property. Whether you have a commercial office building or public space, like a shopping or leisure centre, you can look forward to several advantages with the installation.
Promote Equality
The biggest selling point of a gender-neutral washroom for many property owners is the improved sense of equality in your business. Whether you own an office building full of staff of all identities or want to promote equality to the public visiting your site, this is the perfect way to do so effectively. Plus, this solves a genuine issue and need for many on your property.
For example, transgender people may feel confused about which bathroom to use in environments with only male and female options. Choosing the bathroom of their birth gender may open them to embarrassment and ridicule. In contrast, they may be blocked from entering the bathroom of their transgender by closed-minded, cis-gendered individuals.
Introducing a gender-neutral bathroom provides a safe space for all gender identities to use.
Support Parents & Children
A gender-neutral bathroom is also welcome for parents with small children who require help using the washroom. Sometimes, fathers or mothers feel uncomfortable accompanying their children into an opposite-gender bathroom. A gender-neutral washroom allows both parents to freely accompany their children of any gender into the bathroom and feel safe for both parent and child while doing so.
Shorten Regular Toilet Queues
Traditional male and female toilet spaces have favoured males in the past. This is because they are typically built to the same size and don’t consider that women have smaller bladders than men and use washrooms for other female hygiene purposes. For these reasons, queues to use women’s washrooms are typically much longer than men’s.
These queues can be significantly reduced or even eliminated with gender-neutral bathroom offerings.
Transform your Washroom Facilities
Do you think a gender-neutral washroom might be the right choice for your property? Get more expert advice and the answers to your questions by speaking to our teams of experts in London today.
At Bano Washroom, we are the experts in washroom refurbishment, offering our quality services to the South East of England. We have worked on countless projects in the past, which means we have the design expertise and experience to help you bring your vision to life. Contact us today for further advice and guidance, or why not learn more about our services in London?
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