UCSB added gender-inclusive restrooms

UCSB has opened 60 single-stall restrooms known as gender-inclusive. This means restrooms with an empty symbol is open to anyone across campus. It’s part of a University of California policy passed back in 2015. Most students we found support of the idea.

“I do like the fact that it’s available on my campus”, said Jason Bowe, a UCSB theatre major.

“I think it’s great. It opens doors and creates no fear of being who you are here on campus,” said Byron Torres, a UCSB theater major.

Brandon Whited is a UCSB dance professor. He says gender-inclusive bathrooms are important for students who are either questioning, in transition, or scared how people will perceive them.

“They are forcibly removed, or verbally accosted, or questioned, or even as something as a small look or remark can make you feel unsafe,” said Whited.

In addition this fall, there is a project scheduled in the library changing a men’s room on the first floor into a multiuse gender-inclusive facility with two urinals and two stalls. Ultimately, one stall will be removed to accommodate a large single stall with private floor-to-ceiling doors for added safety and security.