Do people have a right to use a toilet appropriate to their gender identity?
Yes. Being able to use a toilet that corresponds to your gender identity is important both for the acceptance it provides the individual and the message of inclusion that it sends to the school community. All people are vulnerable but gender-variant people in particular are subject to harassment and violence when using male- or female-specific facilities. It is recommended that as schools replace or upgrade facilities they consider establishing gender-neutral bathrooms (typically single-stall, lockable restrooms available to people of all genders), changing male/female restrooms into unisex ones, and making sure that new buildings include gender-neutral bathroom options. A comprehensive guide on gender diversity issues relating to bathroom and toilet use is available via the Transgender Law Centre website.
