October 13, 2020

Gerald Norman, Manager Plan Review

Building Safety
City of Rochester
4001 W River Pkwy NW, Suite 100
Rochester, Minnesota 55901

ROCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2019 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL – GENDER-INCLUSIVE RESTROOMS

2300 OVERLAND DRIVE NORTHWEST
ROCHESTER, MINNESTOA 55901

We are requesting a design modification for the 2019 Elementary School at 2300 Overland Drive NW to incorporate fully gender-
neutral restrooms throughout the building instead of separating the restrooms by male and female as currently required by
Minnesota Building Code. Our request is based on the following:

1. Per 2020 Minnesota Building Code Chapter 29 [P] 2909.2, “Where plumbing fixtures are required, separate facilities
shall be provided for each sex.” This includes both E (Educational) and A (Assembly) Occupancies for the building.
The School is an E occupancy, with the gymnasium being classified as an accessory assembly occupancy.
a. The proposed Plumbing Fixture Count at the 2019 Elementary School includes more lavatories and water
closets than required by code. Plumbing fixture requirements for this building are based on the design
occupant load of the classrooms since that is greater than the occupant load of the gym. The required fixture
count is 18.
b. There are a total of (63) water closets, 18 of which have a sink within the water closet enclosure.

2. Previous interpretations by Building Officials in Minnesota and across the country have accepted interpretations of the
model language code that have allowed for gender-neutral toilet facilities in schools. Gender-neutral designs that have
provided high visibility to the corridor for visual control and high privacy to individual enclosures containing water closets
have found positive results in terms of student and staff utilization, privacy, and improved supervision.
a. In conjunction with the MN Department of Labor and Industry, a committee is working on a draft policy that
seeks to clarify definitions and make allowance for gender-neutral toilets as a standard statewide, without
having to apply for a design modification on a project by project basis. We are providing this draft policy in
support of the request. See below for quotes from the policy:

“The Minnesota Department of Education announced on July 20, 2017 a new” toolkit” on supporting
transgender and gender non-conforming students entitled “A Toolkit for Ensuring Safe and Supportive
Schools for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students.” The most current edition was revised
September 25, 2017. The toolkit includes recommended bathroom policies and locker room policies that
allow all students to use bathroom and locker room facilities of their choice. The document emphasizes
that it is unfair and discriminatory to deny any student the full and equal enjoyment of public
accommodations where they are not stigmatized or segregated from the rest of the general student
population when exercising their right to the public accommodation. The document indicates that if
privacy objections are raised by a student sharing a public accommodation such as a toilet or shower
RPS 2019 Elementary Gender-Inclusive Restrooms Page: 2
Design Modification Request

facility with a transgender student who may be of a different biological gender, that the student raising
the objection should be provided with separate facilities so that the transgender student is not stigmatized
or segregated from the rest of the general student population. As a result, several schools have proposed
multi-user restrooms that are not separated by sex as an alternative design method to the Minnesota
Building Code [MBC] Sections 2902.1 and 2902.2.

Local jurisdictions have been approving various designs for non-gender separated toilet rooms because
there are insufficient definitions in the 2015 Minnesota Building Code specific to defining toilet facilities,
bathing facilities, separation by sex, and specific privacy requirements. Pressure from the Department
of Education has created wide inconsistency in building code interpretation and enforcement.

The Minnesota Building Code [MBC] section 2902.1.1 requires that the number of required toilet fixtures
is determined by dividing the occupant population into 50% male and 50% female by using the phrase
“determine the occupant load of each sex.” MBC Section 2902.2 then requires separation of required
plumbing fixtures by sex, providing only three exceptions: 1) dwelling and sleeping units, 2) spaces with
a total occupant load of 20 or less, and 3) mercantile occupancies with a total occupant load of 100 or
less. The 2018 IBC which will become incorporated into the Minnesota State Building Code mandates
that single user toilet facilities shall not be signed for use by any one sex. These single user toilet facilities
may be counted as part of the total number of required fixtures and provide separation by their single
user application. A Toilet Facility is defined as including a water closet and a lavatory. Toilet facilities
which are not single-user toilet facilities will be required to be signed either for men or women and must
include separate water closets and dedicated lavatories for each sex. Bathing rooms are not addressed.

This policy is necessary to clarify definitions and make allowance for non-gender separated toilet facilities
where both privacy and security are completely addressed.”

b. The guidelines that have been laid out by the draft policy have served as the basis of design requirements for
the restrooms at the 2019 Elementary School. This was done so that the restrooms are addressing privacy
and security concerns.

3. Student Goals and Support: The duty of a school is to provide a safe and inclusive environment for all students. The
youth in Rochester and Olmsted County have been requesting gender inclusive restrooms prior to the passing of the
referendum and discussion of the new schools. A letter was sent from the Rochester- Olmsted County Youth
Commission emphasizing why the School Board should consider gender-inclusive restrooms. Since that time, there
have also been several student statements submitted regarding the importance of gender-neutral restrooms. Both the
Letter to the School Board from the Youth Commission and the student statements are included at the end of this
request.
a. Highlighting these requests is an excerpt from a senior at Mayo High School, “If students can't even feel
comfortable in a restroom, then the school fails in producing a comfortable, inclusive, and welcoming
environment, principles that are essential in creating an optimal learning environment.”

4. Project Goals and a Safe, Inclusive Environment for Students: Based on the goals and design input from user groups,
design committees, and the School Board, Rochester Public Schools is requesting that gender neutral restrooms be
included in the design of the four new schools. It has been a topic of great importance to project stakeholders to create
inclusive and safe school environments where students can thrive. Since restrooms are designed to provide privacy to
users and allow supervision by others, along with being dispersed throughout the building and exceeding fixture count
requirements, we believe that the intent of the code to provide building occupants with safe and needed restrooms is
met.

In summary, the restroom design of the 2019 Elementary School follows the guidelines of draft policies and intent for student
safety and needs; therefore, we request that all restrooms are allowed to be gender-neutral. We are requesting that the Building
Official grant a design modification to allow all restrooms to be gender neutral. The proposed modification is in compliance with
RPS 2019 Elementary Gender-Inclusive Restrooms Page: 3
Design Modification Request

the intent and purpose of the code as the design provides more than the required number of water closets and lavatories in a
safe and secure manner.

The new 2019 Elementary School is a community resource: a place for learning, growing, and safety. This needs to be carried
out through every component of the building. In this instance, the modification further enhances student access, inclusivity,
health, wellbeing and safety in the school environment.

As the School District’s Architect, I am requesting this design modification be granted. Upon acceptance, our understanding is
that this document shall serve as a formal approval and be bound as a component to the contract documents.

Sincerely,

LHB, INC.

KEVIN C. HOLM, AIA

PRINCIPAL

Please indicate your acceptance:

__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gerald Norman, Manager of Plan Review Date:

Attachments:
2019-1206_PR-07 Draft 12-6-19 Separation by sex
Rochester-Olmsted County Youth Commission Letter to the School Board
2020 Student Statements on Gender-Neutral Restrooms

c: LHB File
RPS Google Drive
Rochester School Board Members
Michael Munoz, Superintendent Rochester Public Schools
Rochester-Olmsted Youth Commission

M:\19Proj\190941\300 Design \Information \Architecture \Gende r Neutral Restrooms \Design Modification Request \20201013 RPS 2019 ES
Gender Neutral Modification Request .docx
Construction Codes and Licensing Division- Building Plan Review Unit

PLAN REVIEW POLICY

PR-07 Plumbing Fixtures- Separation by Sex X/X/2019

Background
The Minnesota Department of Education announced on July 20, 2017 a new” toolkit” on supporting transgender
and gender non-conforming students entitled “A Toolkit for Ensuring Safe and Supportive Schools for
Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Students.” The most current edition was revised September 25, 2017.
The toolkit includes recommended bathroom policies and locker room policies that allow all students to use
bathroom and locker room facilities of their choice. The document emphasizes that it is unfair and
discriminatory to deny any student the full and equal enjoyment of public accommodations where they are not
stigmatized or segregated from the rest of the general student population when exercising their right to the
public accommodation. The document indicates that if privacy objections are raised by a student sharing a
public accommodation such as a toilet or shower facility with a transgender student who may be of a different
biological gender, that the student raising the objection should be provided with separate facilities so tha t the
transgender student is not stigmatized or segregated from the rest of the general student population. As a
result, several schools have proposed multi-user restrooms that are not separated by sex as an alternative
design method to the Minnesota Building Code [MBC] Sections 2902.1 and 2902.2.

Local jurisdictions have been approving various designs for non-gender separated toilet rooms because there
are insufficient definitions in the 2015 Minnesota Building Code specific to defining toilet facilities, bathing
facilities, separation by sex, and specific privacy requirements. Pressure from the Department of Education has
created wide inconsistency in building code interpretation and enforcement.

The Minnesota Building Code [MBC] section 2902.1.1 requires that the number of required toilet fixtures is
determined by dividing the occupant population into 50% male and 50% female by using the phrase “determine
the occupant load of each sex.” MBC Section 2902.2 then requires separation of required plumbing fixtures by
sex, providing only three exceptions: 1) dwelling and sleeping units, 2) spaces with a total occupant load of 20 or
less, and 3) mercantile occupancies with a total occupant load of 100 or less. The 2018 IBC which will become
incorporated into the Minnesota State Building Code mandates that single user toilet facilities shall not signed
for use by any one sex. These single user toilet facilities may be counted as part of the total number of required
fixtures and provide separation by their single user application. A Toilet Facility is defined as including a water
closet and a lavatory. Toilet facilities which are not single-user toilet facilities will be required to be signed
either for men or women and must include separate water closets and dedicated lavatories for each sex.
Bathing rooms are not addressed.

This policy is necessary to clarify definitions and make allowance for non-gender separated toilet facilities where
both privacy and security are completely addressed.

443 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155 • (651) 284-5005 • www.dli.mn.gov
Definitions
Bathing Facility: A space containing one or more bathing fixtures intended for nude bathing. A bathing facility
includes an area to temporarily store and change clothes which is sheltered from the wet bathing environment.
Spaces that happen to also include water closets and lavatories shall also comply with the requirements for a
Toilet Room.

Lavatory: A hand washing vessel provided for and dedicated to the sanitary washing of hands. The installation
also requires access to soap or hand washing surfactant and a means by which to dry hands.

Separation by sex: Physical, visual, and acoustic isolation intended to segregate male and female occupants for
the purposes of privacy.

Single User Bathing Facility: A bathing facility meeting the definition of separation by sex and containing a
single bathing fixture or one combination tub/shower unit.

Single User Toilet Facility: A toilet facility meeting the definition of separation by sex, and containing a single
water closet fixture and lavatory.

Toilet Facility: A space containing one or more water closet fixtures and one or more lavatories. Water closet
fixtures and lavatories are intended to be used in sequence for complete sanitary toileting thus requiring
dedicated lavatories for purpose.

Water Closet: A plumbing fixture used for urination and defecation which is traditionally a water closet but also
includes sanitary vessels with flush valves as well as urinals by substitution.

Water Closet Compartment: An enclosure containing a single water closet, located within a toilet room and
providing incidental privacy to the occupant. The privacy of water closet compartments presupposes
separation by sex.

Water Closet Enclosure: An enclosure containing a single water closet, does not contain a lavatory within the
enclosure, but otherwise meets all of the other requirements of a single user toilet facility.

Policy
IBC 2902.2 mandates that ALL required plumbing fixtures shall be separated by sex. This includes toilets, urinals,
lavatories, service sinks, and drinking fountains. DLI/CCLD Interprets as follows:

PR-07.1 Separation by sex is not required for service sinks, drinking fountains, or floor drains.
PR-07.2 Single user toilet facilities and single user bathing facilities located where not available for general
use shall not be counted toward the minimum of the required number of plumbing fixtures for a
facility. Exception: I-2 & I-3 Occupancies.
PR-07.3 Water closets shall only be provided in Toilet facilities.
PR-07.4 Toilet Facilities shall be separated by sex and shall be signed for exclusive use by men or women.
Exceptions:
1. Single User Toilet Facilities.
2. Toilet facilities in I-2 and I-3 Occupancies.
3. Toilet Facilities complying with policy item PR-07.8.
4. Toilet Facilities complying with policy item PR-07.9.
PR-07.5 Bathing fixtures shall be provided in a Bathing Facility.
PR-07.6 Bathing facilities shall be separated by sex and shall be signed for exclusive use by men or
women.
Exceptions:
1. Single User Bathing Facilities.
2. Bathing facilities in I-2 and I-3 Occupancies
PR-07.7 Water closet compartments shall visually enclose water closets with opaque panels to provide
visual masking between 12 inches and 60 inches above the floor.
PR-07.8 Separation by sex is not required for multi-user toilet facilities where staff supervision is required
and the toilet facilities are intended for exclusive use by children less than school age, or intended
for exclusive use by special education students. Water closet compartments shall have opaque
panels to provide visual masking between 12 inches and 48 inches above the floor. Toilet
facilities separated by sex shall be located within 500 feet and one story of any location within the
building.
PR-07.9 Separation by sex at lavatory locations is not required at multi-user toilet facility locations where
all the following criteria are met:
1. The toilet facility is located within an educational setting, including Pre K-12 schools and
post-secondary education facilities.
2. The toilet facility has discernable boundaries located outside of the primary circulation
area and has finishes throughout compliant with IBC Section 1210.
3. 10% but not less than one water closet shall be in a wheel chair accessible single-user
toilet facility containing both a water closet and a lavatory. The single user toilet facility
shall be co-located with other water closet enclosures.
4. 10% but not less than one water closet shall be in an ambulatory accessible water closet
enclosure.
5. Remaining individual water closets shall be in water closet enclosures.
6. Urinals shall not be substituted for water closets.
7. All water closets shall allow for water flush volume to vary based upon soil levels.
8. All single user toilet facilities and water closet enclosures shall be provided with privacy
locks having vacant/occupied indicators on both the public and private side of the door.
9. Doors to toilet enclosures and associated single-user toilet facilities shall be undercut not
more than ¼”.
 10. Doors to toilet enclosures and single-user toilet facilities shall be equipped with door
closers set to hold doors in a 10% open position when the toilet enclosure is vacant. The
accessible route shall be beyond the doors when positioned 10% open.
11. Circulation space to single-user toilet facilities, water closet enclosures and lavatory
spaces shall be open and readily observable from primary circulation areas without
alcoves or areas which cannot be observed from the primary circulation area (corridor).
12. Lavatories not located within associated single user toilet facilities shall be located within
the designated toilet facility. Not less than one common use lavatory shall be wheelchair
accessible.
PR-07.10 Facilities separated by sex shall be provided with an opaque floor, opaque walls, opaque
door/entry and an opaque ceiling to form a complete and total enclosure with no unshielded gaps
or openings. The entry shall provide a door which extends to overlap stops at the head and jambs
and is undercut no more than ¾ inch above the floor.
Exceptions:
1. Windows and skylights to the exterior provided with obscured glass or located where
visually masked.
2. Borrow lights (interior windows) located within walls and fitted with obscured glass and
located not less than 60 inches above the floor surface.
3. Alcove and baffled entries to toilet facilities signed for exclusive use by men or women
and where the alcove or baffled condition provides complete visual masking to the room
interior need not be provided with a door.

Statement of Need and Reasonableness

Privacy requirements listed in MBC Section 1210.3 presuppose the separation by sex indicated in the paragraph
above and are not intended to provide separation by sex, but rather provide privacy from others of the same
sex. Toilet partitions described in MBC Section 1210.3 do not provide the privacy required for separation by sex.

The 2020 Minnesota Construction Codes adopt model code language which will define a toilet facility as
containing both a water closet and lavatory. The model code language will prohibit interpretation of the above
previously approved restrooms because they will not provide separation by sex as required by the model code.
Goals of user safety, supervision, maintaining of privacy, and accessibility can be met and have been successfully
demonstrated without providing multi-user gender separated restrooms. Non-gender separated multi-user
toilet rooms with a low level of visual transparency to the shared space represent a much higher hazard to users
than gender separated toilet facilities. A policy is necessary to provide clarity and consistency in application of
the code, specific to toileting and bathing in schools.

Schools have discovered that in the implementation of non-gender separated toilet rooms provided with high
visibility to the corridor and high privacy to individual enclosures containing water closets, that student and staff
utilization was higher, supervision was improved, illicit activity was significantly curbed, and user’s sense of
privacy was enhanced over gender separated toilet rooms.
PR-07.10- Item 1: Application is limited to schools and higher education facilities at this time because of the
pressing need for supervision, changing cultural requirements, and because students have limited options with
regards to attendance and use of facilities provided.
PR-07.10- Item 2: Where water closet enclosures are provided with lavatory areas that are not separated by sex
(PR-07.10), the toilet facility (water closet and lavatory area) is required to be separate from the general
circulation area in order to maintain the visual and proximity connection between the use of a water closet and
the public health need to wash hands in a lavatory after use of the water closet in order to prevent the spread of
disease. Therefore, water closet enclosures may not open directly into a corridor so that occupants must pass by
a lavatory en route to the corridor.
PR-07.10- Item 3: Where water closet enclosures are provided with lavatory areas that are not separated by sex
(PR-07.10), 10% but not less than one wheelchair accessible single user toilet facility is required in order to
provide equivalent wheelchair accessible facilities as would be provided in two facilities separated by sex.
Facilities separated by sex are required to provide 5% but not less than one wheelchair accessible in each
facility.
Water closet fixtures and lavatories are intended to be used in sequence and may require from time to time
partial disrobement in the use of the lavatory for personal or medical cleaning. Where water closet enclosures
are provided with lavatory areas that are not separated by sex (PR-07.10), single user toilet facilities which
include both a water closet and a lavatory are made a requirement in order to provide for individuals who
require both lavatory access and privacy.
PR-07.10- Item 4: Where water closet enclosures are provided with lavatory areas that are not separated by sex
(PR-07.10), 10% but not less than one ambulatory accessible toilet enclosure is required in order to provide
equivalent wheelchair accessible facilities as would be provided in two multi-user toilet facilities separated by
sex. Facilities separated by sex are required to provide 5% but not less than one ambulatory accessible water
closet when two or more water closets are provided. Policy PR-07.10 will not be leveraged until more than
three water closets are required because installation of single user toilet facilities (including both a water close t
and a lavatory) is more space efficient with three or fewer fixtures.
PR-07.10- Item 5: Where water closet enclosures are provided with lavatory areas that are not separated by sex
(PR-07.10), water closet enclosures are required to provide the highest level of privacy because the general use
of the facility is not separated by sex. Lavatories are allowed to be located outside of the water closet
enclosures in order to save money by saving space, keep the water closet enclosures small so that occupancy
can be limited to one, and provide opportunities for high levels of supervision/security over shared space.
PR-07.10- Item 6: Urinals are not allowed to be substituted for water closets because, in the United States,
women are not culturally trained to use urinals. Use of urinals culturally excludes use of a water closet
equivalent by females, reducing the overall number of water closet fixtures available for some occupants.
PR-07.10- Item 7: Dual flush toilets are required because of the loss in water efficiency afforded by urinals. The
requirement for dual flush has potential to recover at least some of the water efficiency lost in order to provide
equity. Note that sensor activated automatic flush valves are currently not available, making handwashing an
even greater priority in order to prevent spread of disease.
PR-07.10- Item 8: Security locks with visual indicators allow for greater general supervision of the toilet facilities
and provide privacy assurance to water closet compartment occupants.
PR-07.10- Item 9: Undercuts at doors are limited to ¼” so that cellular phones and other camera devices are not
easily introduced into the water closet enclosure from the area not separated by sex.
PR-07.10- Item 10: Doors are required to be held open at least 10% at non-occupied water closet enclosures
and associated single-user toilet facilities so that these low supervision spaces can be readily observed from the
outside without entering and to limit hiding places.
PR-07.10- Item 11: The toilet facility must be open and readily observable from a primary circulation area in
order to provide a high level of passive and active supervision and security. Eliminating hiding places is critical to
the security of these areas not separated by sex.
PR-07.10- Item 12: Not less than one of the common use lavatories must be wheelchair accessible with a front
approach so that someone who is disabled will have the ability to wash their hands without needing to wait for
an accessible toilet facility to become available.
PR-07.10- Item 13: Specific to schools, toilet locations are notorious for clandestine behavior because of the
ability to occupy private space. The locations within a toilet facility or bathing facility that are not separated by
sex must be highly supervised in order to maintain the safety and security of all users. Placement of security
cameras allows for remote observation of the public areas within these facilities in order to thwart illicit activity.
Dear Chair Seelinger and Members of the Rochester Public Schools Board of Education:

We are writing to you in regards to the topic of gender inclusive restrooms in schools.

The Rochester-Olmsted Youth Commission was established in 1993 to promote intergenerational civic
engagement and leadership opportunities for youth from all walks of life in Olmsted County. We represent a
cross-section of cultures, ethnicities, and religions and our partnerships with local government, businesses,
educational institutions, and non-profits give young people in our community a voice. Our membership includes
students from Century, Mayo, and John Marshall High Schools.

As you begin the process of planning for the construction of new elementary, middle, and high schools in
Rochester, we strongly recommend that you include gender inclusive restrooms in all of the buildings. We
are passionately advocating for the construction of at least two gender inclusive restrooms in elementary
schools and at least three in middle and high schools. In addition, we urge that they be located in the same area
where sex-specific restrooms are located. We also recommend that the signage indicate “gender inclusive”
rather than “gender neutral.”

The American School Counselor Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the
National Association of School Psychologists, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals all
support and acknowledge that a student’s right to use the restroom consistent with their gender identity is
critical. A negative school experience not only hinders a nonbinary student’s academic achievement and
growth, but can also interfere with their long-term health and well-being.

A school’s responsibility to keep all studentssafe is not compromised by policies allowing nonbinary students to
use restrooms consistent with their gender identity or by the presence of nonbinary students in those restrooms.
It is incumbent upon schools to create a safe school climate, supervise it appropriately, and clearly articulate
clear expectations about acceptable behaviors.

You are not doing this just for a small group of students. Creating spaces that affirms individuals’ gender
identity benefits all of us as students in Rochester Public Schools. By emphasizing positive climate, effective
supervision, and clear behavioral expectations, along with providing non -stigmatized options for any student
who needs them will meet our needs and the needs of every student in our schools. For this plethora of
reasons, please include gender inclusive restrooms in the new schools that will be built.

Sincerely,

On behalf of the Rochester-Olmsted Youth Commission:

Emily Deng, Youth Commission Co-Chair

Kashanti Taylor, Youth Commission Co-Chair
October 13, 2020

Rochester Public Schools 2019 Elementary School – Gender-Inclusive Restrooms

2300 Overland Drive NW
Rochester, MN 55901

2020 Student Statements on Gender-Neutral Restrooms

STATEMENT 1
As part of the RPS community, I believe that everyone should feel safe and accepted within our community. In order
to do this, we must implement gender neutral bathrooms. This is of utmost importance; our community should aim to
be a safe space regardless of gender, race, or sexual orientation, and gender-neutral bathrooms are a great step
towards this goal. Gender neutral bathrooms will help our community be more inclusive and I believe that student's
gender identities should not be forced upon them, and that they should be free to express who they are.
- Jenny Yan
Junior at Century High School

STATEMENT 2
I am Shikha Kumar, a senior at Mayo High School and a co-chair of the Rochester-Olmsted Youth Commission.
Dedicated to amplifying the youth voice and representing the concerns of all Rochester youth, I am writing to you today
to express my full support for gender neutral restrooms in the four new school buildings that are being built for the
Rochester Public Schools District.

Through my experience as a Rochester Public Schools student from elementary to high school, I have always been
extremely proud of the inclusive community that all teachers, students, and school administration have strived to
achieve. Furthermore, I believe that as a community that values acceptance, diversity, and respect, we must lead with
example, as with the implementation of gender-neutral restrooms in future buildings.

Gender neutral restrooms are essential for students who are gender non-conforming, identify as transgender,
genderqueer, gender-neutral, or non-binary, or feel uncomfortable choosing between binary restrooms. By offering the
option of gender-neutral bathrooms, we can affirm our message of inclusivity to all students.

It is my belief that if Rochester Public Schools wish to respect and include all students, no matter their identity, it is
essential that we ensure that gender neutral bathrooms become a norm in school buildings, starting with new
construction projects. I greatly appreciate this opportunity to share my perspective as a student and look forward to
Rochester Public Schools making a monumental step for all students. Thank you for your consideration and I hope this
message finds you well.
- Shikha Kumar
Senior at Mayo High School
STATEMENT 3
Gender neutral restrooms are more than just a necessity for the LGBTQ community—they promote an inclusive culture.
When I go to school, I want to feel safe and comfortable. Except, it’s more than a want. Safety is something that I
expect a school to provide for me. In the classroom, I’m lucky enough to be able to be myself and share my honest
ideas without judgement or fear. The same should go for my experience at school outside of the classroom. Including
gender neutral restrooms seems like a simple choice to make, but it extends beyond its basic purpose. It would create
a culture of inclusion and promote the idea that school is a progressive place that cares about the needs of students.
- Zach Spindler-Krage
Senior at Mayo High School

STATEMENT 4
A quick exercise of empathy reveals not only the need for gender-inclusive restrooms but also the privilege behind not
needing a gender-neutral option. For anyone who doesn't experience firsthand the need for a gender-neutral option
(including myself), picture a young kid going to school struggling with their gender identity. The heavy feelings of
uncertainty, guilt, ostracization, and discomfort that they feel on a daily basis, even manifesting themselves in
something as rudimentary and essential to life as releasing excrement. Each time they open the door and enter, they
have "chosen" a gender even when they themselves aren't sure. Next, they might be met with ignorant stares of peers
in a gendered-restroom, in addition to their own internal unease. If students can't even feel comfortable in a
restroom, then the school fails in producing a comfortable, inclusive, and welcoming environment, principles that are
essential in creating an optimal learning environment. At the end of the day, that is what it comes down to: trying to
make as inclusive, comfortable, and welcoming schools as possible, and building gender-inclusive restrooms is an
essential step forward to that goal. For those who might not see the need, recognize that itself is a privilege.
- Ojas Bhagra
Senior at Mayo High School