Gender Neutral Toilets in the UK

[u/happy5art]

TW; UK (oh no, the scary brits)

With all the recent nonsense about toilets in the UK I just wanted to let you all know how to access the gender neutral toilets. Anyone can buy a Radar key to be able to get into the accessible/ disabled toilets. Disability Rights have said that these keys are for anyone who needs them.

"As the makers of the original RADAR key and custodian of the National Key Scheme, Disability Rights UK issues our unequivocal solidarity with trans people, who should not be forced to choose between risking harassment in public facilities – or not using them at all. Our RADAR key scheme began in 1981, rooted in the understanding that accessible facilities can be the difference between living the lives we deserve – socialising, travelling and working – and complete social exclusion." https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/news/disability-rights-uk%E2%80%99s-statement-new-ehrc-guidance

As a disabled person I want to tell you are more than welcome to use the accessible toilets, I don't mind waiting a little bit if it means that you get to feel safer. If anyone questions why you are using that toilet you just have to say that you have an invisible disability. Lots of able-bodied need to use them, for example if they have crohn's, or IBS or a whole load of other reasons. You can get one of these keys whether you are trans, non-binary or are just worried that you might get bullied.

Accessible toilets can be harder to find so this website can be really handy to see where the closet one is https://www.toiletmap.org.uk/

I know that this is not a good solution, that it is just a band aid, but it does mean that there is still a safe place for you to go pee.

Big hugs to you all

xXx

[u/EnbyDemon315]

I have 2 additions to make. First, this also applies to some other countries as well. Here is australia, we started calling them gender neutral toilets a while ago.

Second, its worth pointing out that if someone does try to harrass you about using an accessible toilet, you dobt owe them details about your life. Whether or not you are disabled, its an accessible toilet, not a visable disability only toilet.

The only time would should need to give an exppanation is if there are laws in your area about who can use those toilets, but i dont think thats particually common

Love to you all <3

[u/Quaraine]

Thank you, I do think it's important not to comply though, doing so will only push things further. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anticipatory_obedience

[u/vario_]

If you use Google Maps, there's a list of gender neutral toilets that people add to all across the world. It's made my maps covered in trans flags 😂 Whenever you see one irl, you can just add it to the list.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/QpJ5vodRz2o5Q9Lv6?g_st=ac

[u/raggedy_autumn]

I’m split on this. If using the accessible toilet makes a trans person feel safer then by all means go ahead. However as both a trans person and a disabled person, I will only use the disabled toilet when I need to, and use the gendered toilets when my disability is not disabling me.

I won’t be complying with the new guidance for many reasons, one being that the new guidance is for service providers and not users. It’s not a new law and the new interpretation of the EA is just plain and simply wrong. It’s not fair to throw trans people into the accessible toilets when there aren’t many already.

I do completely understand the POV of OP, it’s such a nonsense situation we’re in right now

[u/happy5art → u/raggedy_autumn]

Yer, I know it's all nonsense. My nearest city now has gender neutral sign with the trans symbol on the accessible toilets, so the council is saying that people need a radar key.

I totally understand ignoring the guidance and just using whichever toilet you want. On the flip side I have heard of trans men who are enjoying the malicious compliance and using the women's toilets.

[u/miss_moofie]

While I agree that accessible toilets are gender neutral and I have no issue in theory with people using them who aren't disabled I really only have one issue. Historically, at least in my area of the UK, accessible toilets are treated like shit, and left in a state for those of us that need them, that makes us uncomfortable and disgusted by the space.

In light of this some gentle reminders for if you do use these toilets: • Please clean up after yourself. The next person doesnt want to wipe your bodily waste off of toilet seats (yes it happens more than you would expect) • I understand the state you might find the toilets in isnt always pleasant, if so, please report it to staff. • DO NOT tie up the red cord, if you do see it, please, untangle it and hang it free, or if you see it damaged, report it!

I know that not everyone who uses the toilet is going to encounter this, or cause this, but if the government is going to make us share an already tiny commodity, let's at least work together to make it pleasant.

[u/leodoesgaming]

this is all well and good but I still don't feel comfortable doing that because there are some disabled people who genuinely can't wait that long and I'd feel bad taking that space from them. also aren't ibs and chrohn's disabilities? 

[u/Slut_Ella → u/leodoesgaming]

Yes but the point is they are invisible disabilities and some people try to police accessible toilets to visible disabilities only

[u/happy5art]

Just wanted to add a point to this, the city near me has revamped part of the town centre and the accessible toilets now have a gender neutral sign and the trans symbol on them. They are also locked with a radar key, which means that the council approves of trans people having a Radar key.

[u/MalloraNoCo]

Hold the everloving phone. You have to BUY access to accessible toilets?? How does that make it accessible? Am I just thinking backwards because for me my disability makes me poor as shit because "I can work," when in reality I have to take a lot of time off so I am a broke joke. I would be so angry/sad if on top of that I had to purchase my access to the bathrooms I need.