Students’ perceptions of all-gender restrooms after implementation

Abstract

The present study investigates perceptions toward inclusive restrooms after implementation on a college campus. The campus implemented ‘all-gender restrooms’ to reduce restroom-related stress and belonging threats faced by gender-diverse students. Signs labeled ‘all-gender’ were added to the restroom doors along with notes explaining that the campus supports students using the restroom they identify with. One year after all-gender restroom implementation we surveyed students about their perceptions of and experiences using these restroom; 155 students, including 11 gender-diverse students participated. Restroom-related comfort and safety as well as transphobia-related individual difference factors (i.e. gender essentialism, right-wing authoritarianism, and political affiliation) were measured. Most participants reported feeling at least moderately comfortable and safe with the restrooms in general. As predicted, the individual difference factors were negatively correlated with comfort and safety toward all-gender restrooms. Findings suggest implementing all-gender restrooms benefits gender-diverse students and illustrate students’ support for gender-diverse students. The findings provide insights into the potential for addressing gender essentialism to increase support for all-gender restrooms.