What was once a simple dash to the gender-neutral restrooms has become an inconvenient and even uncomfortable process. For gender-queer students and for those who already face challenges accessing private spaces, gender-neutral bathrooms are crucial facilities that should be readily accessible. Although Lowell’s administration locked these restrooms to improve safety and accountability, this limited access to gender-neutral restrooms inconveniences students and undermines the inclusivity and privacy of students who use them responsibly. Lowell’s administration must remove these unnecessary barriers to ensure students feel comfortable carrying out their basic biological necessities.
Starting in January 2024, Lowell’s administration locked all but one of the gender-neutral restrooms, requiring students to request a key from a nearby office to unlock them. According to the administration’s email, the protocol aims to address concerns surrounding restroom vandalism and student safety during emergencies, while providing “a safe environment for all our students.” However, the policy fails to accommodate the diverse needs of a vulnerable student population at Lowell.
The process of obtaining a key from a nearby office, unlocking and using a gender-neutral restroom, and then returning the key before returning to class creates unnecessary hurdles for students seeking to access these facilities. For students already facing challenges in accessing facilities that provide them with the privacy and comfort they need, such as those not provided by traditional female or male restrooms, this journey only compounds their difficulties. The back-and-forth journey between the restroom and the office is time-consuming, wasting time used for classroom learning.
Out of all the gender-neutral bathrooms, only one — next to room 129 — has been left unlocked in case of emergencies. This unlocked restroom provides some accessibility, but its distance from various locations on campus poses a significant barrier for students who require more immediate access to restroom facilities, such as those with medical conditions and menstrual cycles. For students whose classrooms are in the World Language building or Science building, a considerable amount of their class time would be spent walking to and from this restroom, disrupting their classroom engagement. Relying on a single unlocked gender-neutral restroom is simply insufficient.
Additionally, the gender-neutral bathroom key policy does not accommodate students with medical conditions or those who may experience emergencies, placing them in uncomfortable situations. Genderqueer students dealing with menstruation or gastrointestinal issues may face urgent needs for restroom access, only to be hindered by the policy’s demand for key retrieval from a nearby office. The inflexible nature of this policy and the lack of foresight for students’ varying needs may potentially exacerbate existing health issues. The policy fails to prioritize the well-being of all students.
Genderqueer students, who may experience anxiety and self-consciousness, will be discouraged from using restrooms, harming their physical health and hindering academic performance. Having to request a key may be uncomfortable when attention is drawn to themselves, leading to physical discomfort and heightened distress levels. Students’ reluctance to use the restroom can have detrimental effects on student’s mental well-being, hindering their ability to concentrate in class and reducing classroom engagement and participation. According to Rebecca Nebel, a director for the Society of Women’s Health Research, “restricting access to the bathroom forces students into unhealthy toileting habits, such as holding in urine, which may create health problems that will follow students into adulthood and decrease their quality of life.” As students avoid restroom use, they could experience adverse health effects, impairing students’ learning potential in school.
While the administration intends to improve safety and accountability, this new gender-neutral restroom protocol raises significant concerns about the accessibility to gender-neutral restrooms and its impact on student well-being. It poses detrimental challenges for students who have medical conditions and are genderqueer, simply wanting access to the privacy provided by gender-neutral restrooms. Lowell must unlock all gender-neutral restrooms to ensure that students’ safety, inclusivity, and well-being are prioritized within the campus.
