All Gender Restrooms cause controversy
SCAD recently introduced all gender restrooms in 20 buildings throughout the Savannah campus. The restrooms were intended to be inclusive to the LGBT community at SCAD and allow students who identify with a different gender or are non-binary to use the restroom in a safe environment.
Coincidentally the restrooms were revealed on the International Transgender Day of Visibility, a day dedicated to showing support to the trans community.
While some of the bathrooms were placed in academic buildings and residential halls, others were placed throughout some of SCAD’s dining areas. Incidents defacing the all gender restroom signs occurred at both Bobby’s Diner and Carnival quickly after the bathrooms opened.
The occurrence at Bobby’s was a genuine mistake made by the staff, according to Krista Harberson, supervisor of Queers and Allies, but the same actions at Carnival were not. “The instance at Carnival was made with the intent of “correcting” trans and non-binary students into going into male or female bathrooms,” Harberson said.
Shortly after Harberson was made aware of the incidents she notified the Ombudsman, Sophie Alletto, and Head of Security, John Buckovich. Harberson said, “They both responded with compassion and concern and John Buckovich went over to Carnival before it opened in order to check on the vandalism himself.”
When David Blake, dean of students, made mention of the incidents he said, “I cannot speak to any specific incident, but vandalism of any kind is not tolerated at SCAD and I would encourage students to report any actions that may be harassing or discriminatory to campus safety or the office of student conduct.”
According to Blake, some of the signs have also been placed in residential areas but there has been no mention of whether this bathroom policy will affect room and board policies.
Harberson said, “I have every hope that one day SCAD will have a transgender housing policy and the new bathrooms are definitely a good start. I do hope that new buildings will have the all gender bathroom.”
These bathrooms only affect around 20 buildings; according to Blake additional bathrooms will be added when possible, which means there has yet to be a confirmation that the buildings currently under construction will include all gender bathrooms as well.
A second-year Writing major from Savannah, Georgia, Jordan is one of two editors in charge of final edits, approving contents, and budgeting of stories for District and The Manor.
