Debate Unisex toilets

Debate

The question of the debate was the following one:

Do you agree with Condorcet replacing existing single-sex toilets with gender-neutral toilets?

(There would be 3 single sex toilets (of each sex) left after the renovations and 10 cubicals).

First of all, it is not a good idea. Replacing single sex toilets with gender-neutral toilets is not a good idea. The way we see it is simple and clear: it is not a good idea and we are completely against it. Now, let us explain you why.

First of all, you have to know that some people might feel as their privacy had been invaded. I assume you will tell me that you are from times to times going to unisex toilets… But, as you say, it is occasionally, and it doesn’t occur in your daily life! Could you imagine demure teenagers, girls or boys, having to use unisex toilets next to people from the opposite sex? Having to go to gender-neutral toilets, because as it was forced to us, we see it as an obligation, represents a massive strike to people’s intimacy and privacy.

Likewise, how are you planning on managing sexual predators? If gender-neutral toilets are constructed with dividing walls, which I already hope it will, sexual predators can still harass girls, or boys, in these toilets. Have you thought about it? Nowadays, as you all know, cyberbullying is an ordinary phenomenon, and it leads to isolation, depression and suicide. How would it look like for such a prestigious high school as Condorcet to have cases like this? I will leave it for your consideration…

Another point I would like to raise in this debate is the convenience, or non-convenience in this situation, of gender-neutral toilets. If cubicals are created instead of urinals, it will definitely take more time for boys to pee. If cubicals are created, single-sex toilets will be located next to the cafeteria, far away from the classrooms, and therefore, not easy to access between classes. If cubicals are created, people will undoubtedly still prefer single-sex toilets and a long queue will delay students.

Besides, is this the most important problem Condorcet has to deal with? We are in 2018 and there are still no facilities for disabled persons. Someone in a wheelchair can see its chance of studying in Condorcet shattered. How is this less important that gender-neutral toilets?

Now, let me pretend to be one my opponents. I would surely claim: “We don’t care if transgender are minorities, they still should have fair and equal rights regarding their demands!” And I will totally agree. Nevertheless, as you would say, transgenders are minorities. Therefore, their need should be considered as such: gender-neutral toilets, created for them, have to represent a small percentage of all toilets in Condorcet. Let me do my math’s… Oh, true! There are three times more gender-neutral toilets than single-sex toilets in this project!

Last but not least, the point I would like to raise is students’ opinion. Were we consulted about it? Absolutely not. Did we vote anything as if we were in a democracy? Absolutely not. As far as we can remember, these toilets are not even used by teachers, nor the administration. Yet, the decision was only taken by the administration. How does it sound? Dictatorial. If the opposite

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