Palmerston North City Council is leading the way on gender neutral toilets – its staff are researching appropriate signage for facilities throughout the city. The proposal for $1,000 to be spent on the idea initially came from Councillor Tangi Utikere during Long Term Plan deliberations this year. Jane Johnston from the Manawatu Lesbian and Gay Rights Association (MALGRA) told the Council the group was supportive of the proposal. She said gender neutral bathrooms were important for trans people, but also for those who don’t identify as transgender or don’t appear stereotypically male or female and may experience harassment or condemnation in sex-segregated facilities. Johnston said gender neutral facilities would also be important for fathers caring for their daughters, mothers caring for their sons and people with disabilities being supported by carers who are a different gender The resolution was passed unanimously by the Council. Councillor Tangi Utikere has told the Manawatu Standard he expects all bathrooms with appropriate facilities would have their signage changed to achieve the neutral status. Councillor Aleisha Rutherford added it’s about creating safe spaces for the entire community. "Any person of any gender should be able to use any toilet. "If someone is struggling with their gender, having to choose a toilet adds to their stress." Rutherford told the paper gender neutral facilities are more family friendly anyway. "Dads can go to the toilets with their young children, so it would be better for families. You often see parents waiting outside toilets for their young children."Not all the city's public toilets will be gender neutral - just those where it's feasible.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 29th July 2015 - 9:28am