Open AccessBeyond the bathroom wars: Increasing gender-free restroom access in libraries
Author(s) -
Selene Colburn
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
college and research libraries news
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.281
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 2150-6698
pISSN - 0099-0086
DOI - 10.5860/crln.81.8.387
Subject(s) - queer , sociology , meaning (existential) , economic justice , transgender , library science , political science , public relations , media studies , gender studies , psychology , law , computer science , psychotherapist
In May 2016, protesters affiliated with the student organization Justice for Queer and Trans Students occupied the University of Vermont’s (UVM) Dean of Libraries’ office to demand that the David W. Howe Memorial Library (then known as the Bailey/Howe Library) immediately convert select gender-segregated restrooms—meaning those labeled for use for only men or only women—to gender-free restrooms to accommodate the needs of trans and gender non-conforming students during spring finals week. The protest followed the delivery of a petition with more than 1,000 signatures seeking change, as well as ongoing conversations between the libraries and student activists. Student organizer Lindsey “Z.” McCarron told The Vermont Cynic, “This is an immediate and real need that is affecting people’s health and safety every day.”