The design of the gender-neutral bathroom on the upper level of Stellenbosch University’s (SU) library has led to confusion amongst students over whether the facility is truly intended to be gender-neutral.
This is according to Alex Vink, head of SU’s Representative Council’s Womxn and Queer Empowerment portfolio. “As a queer student myself, I do believe that the designs could be done better. I think it can create confusion [for] students and can create further issues which need to be dealt with.”
A design dilemma
The entrance to the gender-neutral bathroom is located on the upper level of Stellenbosch University’s (SU) library. The male and female signage have left some SU students confused as to whether the bathroom is truly gender-neutral. PHOTO: Aiden Louw
The bathroom’s construction was completed in February and consists of independent stalls, each with their own toilet, sink and mirror. The entrance to the bathroom has male and female figures on either side of the wall and the inside has alternating stall areas with either male or female signs. There is also a communal basin area. This makes the bathroom both gender-neutral and gender-inclusive, according to SU spokesperson, Martin Viljoen.
However, Vink suggested that “the heteronormative bathroom signs [be] removed”, as they do not reflect gender-neutrality. “I believe that the heteronormative bathroom signs deter non-binary and gender non-conforming students from using the bathrooms, and also fathers the confusion the general campus population has towards the need, creation and purpose behind the inclusion of gender neutral bathrooms.”
“The pictures on [the bathroom] are supposedly the male icon and female icon. But they are not divided. So, it isn’t clear at all. It doesn’t say unisex,” said SU student Kylie Lategan, who was unsure whether the bathroom was gender-neutral.
“The figures used in and on the outside of the ablutions are the universally accepted symbols to denote male and female […] the colours [red and yellow] were merely selected to compliment the new look and feel of the refurbished areas and do not denote separation between male and female,” stated Viljoen.
Viljoen added that “each cubicle will have both a male and female symbol displayed on the door” by the end of April.
Jesse Africa, an SU student, stated that the current symbols, the sectioning and the colour scheme make it unclear as to whether the bathroom is gender-neutral.
Each cubicle in the gender-neutral bathrooms on the upper level of Stellenbosch University’s library is furnished with its own toilet, sink and mirror. PHOTO: Aiden Louw
More moves to be made
Every new SU building will have a “gender-inclusive and/or gender-neutral bathroom facility included in its design,” according to Japie Engelbrecht, director of project management at SU’s facilities management division.
Vink said that, while he believed SU was taking the necessary steps to create gender-neutral bathrooms in their new buildings, he felt a “deeper discussion as an institution about the use of gender-neutral bathrooms” was needed.
“I believe the importance of having gender-neutral bathrooms on campus all comes down to the concept of inclusion and respect. Using a bathroom forms part of a person’s primary bodily functions and is thus a primary need,” said Vink. He added that SU could “also make at least one gender-neutral stall/bathroom and changing facility available in every building on campus”.