Non-binary bathrooms in DPS help students feel safe. graphic by AJ Domagala
New mandatory Non-Binary bathrooms will be implemented in all DPS schools.
Non-Binary is defined as a spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or feminine—identities that are outside of the gender binary. It is estimated that about 25-35 percent of the LGBT community identifies as non-binary. DPS schools introduced the mandate of having non-binary bathrooms in January 2020. The reason for the implementation of non-binary bathrooms is to create an environment that is welcoming to all. These bathrooms make it so that discrimination and harassment will hopefully be reduced for those who do not identify with either gender. Before these bathrooms were put into place, many DPS schools did not have any gender-neutral bathrooms. This made it so that the students, staff, and teachers that identify as gender-neutral in their school buildings were different, and did not have a place where they felt welcomed.
Tay Anderson, DPS Board At-Large Director, is the reason that these bathrooms have been implemented. Anderson is the youngest board member in DPS, and he is ready to make a change for everyone around him. Anderson’s reasoning behind these bathrooms is to make it so that every student in DPS feels that they are accepted for who they are. Students, teachers, faculty, and visitors will all be able to use these bathrooms when they visit the DPS school buildings. With this fully inclusive idea, it brings everyone together in the community, making them feel welcomed. Junior Jael Iyema explained, “The non-binary bathrooms will provide me and others to have a space where we can use the restrooms without hesitation.” As Iyema explained, many of the students who identify as non-binary will have somewhere to go to the bathroom without feeling “different,” or not included. This is the whole reason for the implementation of these bathrooms. Assistant Principal Andrew Skari said, “I am proud to work for DPS and TJ, we are very open to supporting our students and their needs. If a non-binary bathroom makes some more comfortable and safe in this building, we are going to do it.”
DPS is the first district in Colorado to make these bathrooms mandatory in every DPS school building. With this new push for these bathrooms in every building, it really shows that positive change is ensuing. Hopefully with these new bathrooms, other school districts around Colorado and the nation will be encouraged to do the same thing. Megan Miccio, head of the Gay Straight Alliance Club at TJ explains, “I hope that this can propel other areas of school to become more inclusive. There are many things that are gender specific and we don’t often think about how we are including everyone.” These bathrooms make it so the environment of TJ is welcoming to all and those who identify as gender-neutral. The amount of research that has been done on the non-binary community is very limited, and there is still a lot to learn. With the actions that are being taken, people are making the community a better place. “These bathrooms are the start of something new, something different. Non-binary bathrooms will lead the way for a more gender inclusive curriculum, like LGBT studies, women and gender studies, etc. It provides hope for the future,” Iyema stated. The world can only become a better place if everyone helps improve it.
The sign that will be posted on the outside of these bathrooms. Photo by AJ Domagala
