Potty Parity - Unisex Restrooms

[One Woman]

Separate But Equal

In Brown v. Board Of Education, the practice of "separate but equal" as it applied to racial separation was found to be unconstitutional.

There are similar cases that discuss separation based on sex.
So why is it we still have mens' and womens' rest rooms?
You may chuckle under your breath upon reading that, but how is having "separate but equal" bathrooms any different fundamentally than having "separate but equal" drinking-fountains, or seats on the bus, or doorways to use to enter public buildings?

I understand that abolishing separate but equal bathrooms would probably spell the end of the urinal as we know it, but I'm not entirely sure that's a bad thing (especially as any guy who's ever had to deal with the "public bathroom piss trough" can attest).
There must be some reason for the holdout nature of separate bathrooms, but I can't for the life of me figure out why... I have to believe at some point in time, some guy (or girl) was pissed off at the much-shorter line for the other folks' bathroom and decided to make a case out of it... if not, someone should...
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Posted by: Chris | December 10, 2003 02:03 PM

I think unisex bathrooms are a fantastic idea. Among the many reasons: When folks who are gender non-conformant (i.e., who may occasionally be mistaken for someone of the other gender) walk into their chosen bathroom, they're a lot less likely to be harassed. ("You're in the WRONG BATHROOM!")

What *really* bugs me are the single-user bathrooms that indicate gender. I mean, wtf? Only one person at a time can use them anyway, so what's the point?
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You can never accomplish true potty-parity with separate facilities.
* It is impossible to determine the proper ratio for any given facility.
* Women will always resort to using the men's room if the line is shorter
* Men will still not be able to use the women's room if the line is shorter
* Many men do not like to use the urinal and stalls are not of equal
...quantity so one urinal (& no stall) will never equal 1 or 2 women's stalls

True parity can only be accomplished by
* Totally unisex facilities - multi user for most applications and single
...user for special needs applications.
* Elimination of urinals and use of totally private stalls
* Waiting times will be equal.
* More stalls can be provided in any given space.
* There will be greater respect for the facilities and each other.

As a woman, I would actually feel more comfortable using a multiuser unisex restroom knowing that a larger number of users would be presant and that there would not be the thrill for a male pervert to sneak into the women's restroom. Also, at times of low usage, I could have the cumfort of having my husband going in with me.

[Mac]

Separate But Equal

In Brown v. Board Of Education, the practice of "separate but equal" as it applied to racial separation was found to be unconstitutional.

There are similar cases that discuss separation based on sex.
So why is it we still have mens' and womens' rest rooms?
...............
I understand that abolishing separate but equal bathrooms would probably spell the end of the urinal as we know it, but I'm not entirely sure that's a bad thing ....... There must be some reason for the holdout nature of separate bathrooms, but I can't for the life of me figure out why... I have to believe at some point in time, some guy (or girl) was pissed off at the much-shorter line for the other folks' bathroom and decided to make a case out of it... if not, someone should...
==============================================

Posted by: Chris | December 10, 2003 02:03 PM

........

True parity can only be accomplished by
* Totally unisex facilities - multi user for most applications and single
...user for special needs applications.
* Elimination of urinals and use of totally private stalls
* Waiting times will be equal.
* More stalls can be provided in any given space.
* There will be greater respect for the facilities and each other.

As a woman, I would actually feel more comfortable using a multiuser unisex restroom knowing that a larger number of users would be presant and that there would not be the thrill for a male pervert to sneak into the women's restroom. .......

I agree with you that true equality can never be accomplished with separate facilities. We will always be free to use the men's facilities when the need arises but just let a man try to use the women's facilities. Also, I agree that banning the urinal would be a improvement.

[PeeOn]

Co-ed restrooms would be the answer if there were floor-to-ceiling stalls. There should not be any urinals because men should not be "seen" by women and little girls as these men are doing their business. As for women using mens rooms while men are using them, this creates a hotbed for some perverted men to install hidden cameras, expose themselves (even to little girls), hold strip shows (in exposing themselves), sexual harrassment, and even rape. If men are prosecuted for going into the womens room, then the same should happen to women who go into the mens room. In the case of theaters dirng intermession, if there are two sets of restrooms for each gender (paired up in two different areas), have one set (of the men-women area) for women only with a sign (and an attendant) pointing the men to go to the mens room at the other set, with that set be for men (in the mens room) and women (the womens room). This is a sick world (which became sicker these last five-and-a-half years) and it does not need any more fuel to make it sicker. Keep the women out of the mens room.

[AussieAdam]

Co-ed restrooms would be the answer if there were floor-to-ceiling stalls. There should not be any urinals because men should not be "seen" by women and little girls as these men are doing their business. As for women using mens rooms while men are using them, this creates a hotbed for some perverted men to install hidden cameras, expose themselves (even to little girls), hold strip shows (in exposing themselves), sexual harrassment, and even rape. If men are prosecuted for going into the womens room, then the same should happen to women who go into the mens room. In the case of theaters dirng intermession, if there are two sets of restrooms for each gender (paired up in two different areas), have one set (of the men-women area) for women only with a sign (and an attendant) pointing the men to go to the mens room
at the other set, with that set be for men (in the mens room) and women (the womens room). This is a sick world (which became sicker these last five-and-a-half years) and it does not need any more fuel to make it sicker. Keep the women out of the mens room.

In a perfect world unisex world would be great but its not --- A very valid and excellent reponse from Peeon - I sure as hell wouldnt want my young daughter to go in a loo that was unisex...you never know what perve is lurking

[Mac]

In a perfect world unisex world would be great but its not --- A very valid and excellent reponse from Peeon - I sure as hell wouldnt want my young daughter to go in a loo that was unisex...you never know what perve is lurking

With the current separate and unequal standard, perverts who enter the women's restroom do so for all of the wrong reasons. With common facilities; privacy standards would be enhanced, more users of both sexes would be present and it would be more difficult for perverts of either sex to take advantage of the other. Being next to one another in the common area would be no different than being next to one another in a hallway or any other other room.

[AussieAdam]

So your happy with sending your six year old daughter into a cubical not knowing if there is a bloke in the cubical next door jerkin off? Your mad !

When women are in the loo they might wanna apply make up, ajust their bras, chat with mates about stuff or just ring a mate . I believe the loos are almost a social room for lots of girls - How many times do you leave the table in twos or three girls? and is is just for a pee?? naw course its not.

Do you want to hear the lovely sound of an old bloke peeing into a bowl with the cubical door open ? er I dont think so

The loos is not only a loo is a place of privacy and often sanctuary. When some bloke wont leave them alone on a dance floor the loos is a great escape.

I worry about the number of blokes that want unisex loos _- I wonder WHY they really want them