Gender Neutrality in Schools and Universities

Schools and universities are embracing gender neutrality in their policies and ideas. Decatur Public Schools are planning to create LGBTQ+ friendly policies such as gender-neutral dress-codes and allowing students to use restrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa updated their school’s map to highlight the gender-neutral restrooms on campus. 

Montana State University installed two gender-neutral bathrooms on each floor of their newest residence hall. One article mentioned Colorado State University’s efforts to promote an LGBTQ+ inclusive space such as installing gender-neutral restrooms and adding a gender neutral “X” option on their campus database system. Another article mentioned how Cal State Long Beach’s new shark mascot, “Elbee”, uses gender-neutral pronouns such as “they/them”. 

Another article highlighted that gender-neutral policies in academia aren’t helpful towards women and oftentimes give male academics more advantages. The article specified that policies should be focused towards equity rather than gender-neutrality.