First gender-neutral bathrooms open in LAUSD

Peninsula has always been at the forefront of issues such as equal rights for all students. In 2015, Principal Mitzi Cress decided to convert the singleton bathrooms to gender-neutral facilities. However, there are schools in other parts of the country where the concerns of transgender students have yet to be heard. Before this year, the schools of Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) were among the many schools in the US without these accommodations.

That changed on April 20, when Santee Education Complex in South Los Angeles became the first school in LAUSD to open a gender-neutral bathroom. The groundbreaking decision was met with widespread support, with students and staff rallying behind the campaign of Santee’s Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) club by attending rallies and signing a petition that amassed over 700 signatures. The bathroom is located in a busy hallway and will be monitored by GSA members to ensure that it is being used safely and properly. However, the movement was not without its detractors, as students were met with a large number of counter-protesters fighting against the new facility. While there could be a number of reasons why some are not supportive of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) movements, the opinions of those people should not be infringing on their rights. Furthermore, schools everywhere should be considering the opening of gender-neutral bathrooms, as they foster a nondiscriminatory environment and cater to all students’ needs.

“My first concern about the bathroom was that it could cause more incidents of harassment,” senior Peter Giuliano said. “However, given that it will be monitored regularly, I feel that [it] can provide more comfort for those who do not identify as male or female.”

The 21st century has seen immense progress for LGBT civil rights, and gender-neutral bathrooms would be another step in the right direction. Transgender people find themselves in a tough spot when choosing which bathroom they should use. Especially for those in the process of transition, it is difficult to identify fully with any specific gender, generating discomfort. By getting rid of these boundaries, gender-neutral bathrooms provide an easy solution for this problem. Having them in widely-frequented areas on campus also reduces the need for transgender students to take inconvenient routes to their classes, and the exposure could help to reduce negative stigma surrounding the issue.

“I do believe that being transgender will become widely accepted at some point, but the question is when,” sophomore Atul Jalan said. “Gender-neutral bathrooms serve as the first step in which the goal is to foster a community of diverse people who feel comfortable being who they are.”

Students with deeply-held personal beliefs may dislike the idea of a gender-neutral bathroom. However, they should note that they will not be directly affected. The other facilities on campus will remain gender-specific, and everyone is free to choose which restroom to use.

“I know a lot of people struggle with their gender identity so I think gender neutral bathrooms are a good idea,” freshman Julie Cuffel said. “I do know some people are not comfortable with this, but all they have to do is not use it.”
At the end of the day, gender-neutral bathrooms are a great addition to the Santee campus and should be considered at other schools if demanded. They provide reasonable accommodations for the growing number of transgender students without harming or inconveniencing others. As society continues to progress in terms of acceptance and understanding of different kinds of people, it is now time to embrace the diverse population of our schools and help create a welcoming and comfortable learning environment for each and every student.

As digital technology spreads its reaches and transportation grows more accessible than ever before, the homogeneity of the world is quickly disappearing. It is giving way to a mixed Earth where people of all kinds are increasingly intermingled. Although it is still a work in progress, America is on the road towards a society where people of various races, genders, sexualities and religions can work in harmony.

And yet, discrimination is still present on a global scale. Many public figures still fit a certain mold, regardless of the diversity of those they serve. This inaccurate rendition of the whole can only hurt the varied masses as groups struggle to find a professional voice in public affairs. It is essential that all members of a population be represented, and many areas of the world are working towards inclusion.

In early May, London elected its first Muslim leader, Sadiq Khan. With this victory, Khan will become the first Muslim mayor of a major Western city. According to the New York Times, one-eighth of the London population is Muslim; thus, this new election serves to better embody the significant Muslim population. This decision comes at a crucial time in Europe, where there are mounting tensions over the issue of immigrants coming from predominantly Muslim countries. While many face unfair discrimination solely due to their background, this historic decision can empower Muslims in London and make them feel more included.

Diversity of those in leadership positions does not stop here. According to NBC News, the U.S. Senate confirmed Eric Fanning as the Secretary of the Army on May 17, making him the first openly gay military leader. As discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people has been prominent in the military throughout history, this decision will empower other LGBT youth to pursue paths in the military.

While the leadership of these two people may not directly influence us at Peninsula, they serve as symbols that those who identify with either or both of the minorities listed still have immense future opportunities. They also remind us of the importance of accurately representing the diverse student body. With students from all kinds of backgrounds, Peninsula has a bigger duty to accept the diverse nature of our school. And, from simply taking a tour around campus, it is clear our student leadership embodies this and more.

Coming from such a heterogeneous high school, striding into the scrutiny of places such as the corporate world may come as a shock. Thus, it is our duty to step up and to remain standing. We must not be intimidated by the disproportionate representation that precedes us, and we can be inspired by those like us who have aimed high and achieved their goals. We, and the rest of our generation, must build a culture of acceptance and embrace our differences to make a stronger, more globally-minded set of leaders. We are the future, and we will become the mentors of the future generations. There are no “good ol’ days” for us to return to; it is up to us to create them.