This washroom option has been a goal of our school's GSA, gay-straight alliance, for years now. The washroom could set a new standard for schools provincially and nationally. CB has stepped up as a leading school in queer youth rights and anti-bullying, this progressive action is the next step. We can't simply settle with the changes we have made, we must move forward.
To back up are movement we have used social networking; instead of a petition class to class we have a facebook page our supporters can like. At this moment in time we have 865 likes, ranging from CB students to trans-rights activists in the UK, U.S.A, Australia and more! Check is out here!
This page has been faced with some negative feedback also, which was to be expected. However, for every problem people have with the washrooms we have solutions. Here are some examples:
- "Boys have penises, girls have vaginas, done" - Incorrect, gender and sex are not always coordinated as societal norms dictate, and some people were born with both genitalia, this may be a minority but does that mean their rights are less valid? No.
- "There are no transgender people at CB, it's pointless" - There may not be any publicly vocal transgender students at our school, but that doesn't mean they do not exist. Even if there were none, the entire school population changes every 4 years, we should be prepared to create a safe and accepting environment for every type of human being. The establishment of the washrooms would make a huge statement to any student at CB under the gay-brella, it represents how accepting we are.
- "A boy and a girl will go in and have sex" - If a couple wishes to have sex on school property then a sign on a door will not affect their decision, the signs on the male washroom are not a security system to block all vaginas. Where there is a will there is a way.
- "If it is a private washroom, people will just use it to poop" (This has been a largely voiced concern, seriously) - If it is a smelly washroom, it is still a safe washroom and that is what is important.
- "I don't agree with this!" - Awesome, don't use it. This washroom is an option so that nobody is uncomfortable. This comment reminds me of the closed minded gay marriage debate, if you don't like gay marriage, don't get gay married! Rights are about options, we can't take away peoples rights and peoples options, we must take a stand for the minority even if the majority sees it as frivolous.
- "We can't afford a new washroom" - This comment is more of a misunderstanding we will not be building a new washroom, simply changing a door sign, which shall be paid for with the funds SAFE, our GSA, has raised!
All support is appreciated and I'll post more of our progress once we move forward to administration!
