Gender-neutral restroom encourages debate

A student looks around the gender-neutral restroom at Sungkonghoe University, Seoul, Wednesday. The university is the first to install one on campus in Korea. Yonhap

By Lee Hae-rin

The establishment of a gender-neutral restroom on a university campus for sexual minorities has sparked a safety debate, as males and females, along with people of other gender identities, are all allowed to use it.

Sungkonghoe University and its student council held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of "restroom for all" on its campus in Guro District, Seoul, Wednesday.

The gender-neutral restroom was set up there as a non-discriminatory space that is physically accessible and open to people of all genders. Unlike the goal of a unisex toilet, it is for a single user and has a locking door with a toilet and sink.

The university's restroom is located next to a student cafeteria and features gender-inclusive signage. It is also a barrier-free space equipped with braille blocks, an adjustable mirror, handrails, a diaper desk and an emergency button to accommodate disabled people, elderly and young people and their guardians of another gender.

It is the first gender-neutral restroom to be installed on a university campus ― though not the first of its kind ― in the nation. There have been gender-inclusive restrooms in human rights organization offices and hospitals with gender clinics, such as in the Seoul Acceleration Center for Gender Equity and at Hanlim University Hospital.

However, the notion of inclusive restrooms is new and unwelcome by the majority here still, going against the global trends to install more, mainly due to the fact that public restrooms are an area vulnerable to gender-based violence and illegal filming.

"I understand that some people need gender-neutral restrooms, but I wonder whether most people will actually use it. As a woman, I often feel uncomfortable going to a unisex public toilet, so sharing it with men seems unsafe," a Seoul-based student, 20, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

Illegal filming cases multiplied elevenfold from 585 in 2008 to 6,615 in 2017 and now account for 20 percent of the total number of sex crime cases. According to the gender equality ministry's 2021 report, 5,151 people were arrested for illegal filming, among which, 94.1 percent were men.

Sungkonghoe University is not free from such concerns. "Many students here also feel insecure about illegal filming in restrooms and the student council has been detecting spy cams over the last year," Lee Hoon, the leader of the emergency task force of the student council told The Korea Times, Thursday.

Since the discussion regarding the restroom's installation started in 2017, the installation took five years to complete. Oppositional voices on campus stated their concerns for the security of women, while some even expressed their hatred against gender and sexual minorities.

"We worked continuously over the years to reach a consensus that sexual minorities are also people who have basic needs to go to the toilet. We also explained that this is a matter of community spirit and inclusivity," Lee said.

In September of last year, the university held an open debate with 60 people ― including students, professors, employees and the school president ― over the installation of the inclusive restroom. The installation was confirmed to proceed, as the opposition raised questions on technical and procedural issues, but agreed on the need for an inclusive space.

The National Human Rights Council of Korea reported in February that 40 percent of transgender people use toilets designated for different genders over the fear of discrimination, while 39.2 percent of respondents avoid consuming food or drink to minimize the need to use public toilets.

"I hope the university's inclusive restroom brings a little hope to minorities in the country," Lee said.

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