Gender Neutrality on Campus

Multiple articles focused on the issue of gender neutrality on campus. The Student Government Association at Central Michigan University was able to pass their gender-neutral housing resolution, making gender-neutral housing a more accessible option to students. One student commented, “I think that this legislation is a great idea and it will make the housing process so much more comfortable for transgender and gender-nonconforming students.”

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Student Government Association plans to provide free menstrual products in gender-neutral restrooms. The SGA’s Speaker of the Senate stated, “After speaking to Dr. Jess Myers [director of the Women’s Center], she told me that not only women get periods. That really stuck to me. [That’s] the main reason why we want to achieve this [goal] in gender-neutral restrooms.” Six schools in Upper Arlington, Ohio are installing gender-neutral bathrooms for students. Some parents raised concerns about the gender neutrality on campus, afraid that the schools were getting rid of gender specific restrooms. However, that is not the case. The new gender-neutral restrooms will have floor to ceiling walls. One student at Astoria High School is advocating that the school changes from a gendered mascot to a gender-neutral one. The student commented, “I just think we should be able to do it in a way that represents everyone.”