2008 Woodie Awards
Gender Neutral Restrooms
Issue date: 3/4/05 Section: Letters & Commentary
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Editor's Note: Opinions expressed in both signed and unsigned letters to the Editor, opinion pieces and columns are not necessarily those of The New Hampshire or its staff. If you do not see your side of the argument being presented, we invite you to submit a letter to the Editor by e-mail to tnh.editor@unh.edu.
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter to express my wholehearted support for gender neutral bathrooms on the UNH campus. As a former student at UNH, I frequently was harassed and discriminated against due to my gender identity and expression. One of the most difficult things was navigating the gender-segregated bathroom system. Like many other transgender people, I have been verbally assaulted in restrooms, thrown out and been the recipient of numerous glares and abusive comments.
Those who oppose the existence of gender neutral facilities clearly do not understand the extent of transphobic oppression at UNH and in American culture in general. Transphobia, the irrational fear and hatred of those who cross, blur or transcend the male/female gender line, is an entity which musty be countered by the UNH community, and this includes the creation of programs and facilities which make the campus more accessible and gender-friendly.
Universities should be leaders in the fight for a supportive, nurturing and inclusive community. Like it or not, trans, intersex, drag and gender-variant communities are one of the constituencies which make up the rich fabric of diversity found on campus and throughout society. We must work together to promote an environment that celebrates gender diversity.
Joelle Ruby Ryan,
Alumna, 1996, 2002
To the Editor:
I am writing this letter to express my wholehearted support for gender neutral bathrooms on the UNH campus. As a former student at UNH, I frequently was harassed and discriminated against due to my gender identity and expression. One of the most difficult things was navigating the gender-segregated bathroom system. Like many other transgender people, I have been verbally assaulted in restrooms, thrown out and been the recipient of numerous glares and abusive comments.
Those who oppose the existence of gender neutral facilities clearly do not understand the extent of transphobic oppression at UNH and in American culture in general. Transphobia, the irrational fear and hatred of those who cross, blur or transcend the male/female gender line, is an entity which musty be countered by the UNH community, and this includes the creation of programs and facilities which make the campus more accessible and gender-friendly.
Universities should be leaders in the fight for a supportive, nurturing and inclusive community. Like it or not, trans, intersex, drag and gender-variant communities are one of the constituencies which make up the rich fabric of diversity found on campus and throughout society. We must work together to promote an environment that celebrates gender diversity.
Joelle Ruby Ryan,
Alumna, 1996, 2002
