An all-gender washroom is a washroom for use by anyone, regardless of sex, gender identity, or gender expression. It may be a single-use washroom with a single toilet and sink in a lockable room; multi-use facilities with individual enclosed toilet stalls that share a common sink area; multi-stall washrooms, which have traditionally been designated female; or multi-stall washrooms with urinals, which have traditionally been designated male. A universal washroom may be all-gender (see definition below).

A universal washroom is defined within the Ontario Building Code. These washrooms have requirements like grab bars, lighting, emergency call services, and other regulations around accessibility. An all-gender washroom may be universal (see definition above).

Each washroom will have clear signage on the door indicating the types of facilities contained within the washroom, including toilets and urinals. Accessibility signs will show whether the washroom can accommodate mobility devices and/or caregivers.

Here is an example of a sign:

Lakehead University wants to ensure that all students, faculty, and staff have access to the basic facilities we all need. This gives life to the Ontario Human Rights Code requirement not to discriminate based on ability, family status, sex, gender identity, or gender expression and to provide harassment-free services and spaces. Universal washrooms ensure that parents and caregivers, personal attendants and individuals with disabilities have the additional space and equipment necessary to access the facilities. All-gender washrooms likewise help address the needs of parents and caregivers, personal attendants and those with disabilities, as well as trans and non-binary individuals, all of whom can face difficulty in accessing washrooms.

As part of the EDI Action Plan and consultations with individuals expressing a need for broader access to washrooms, the Accessibility Committee created the All-Gender Washroom Working Group to oversee the inclusion of all-gender washrooms on campus. The makeup of the Working Group and process are more thoroughly described below.

Lakehead University is not alone in this – many agencies, universities, governments, and other organizations are moving to more inclusive washrooms.

While different types of all-gender washrooms may not be what many of us are used to and may feel uncomfortable at first, they are safe to use. Every all-gender washroom includes at least one stall that anyone may use.

The evidence that exists so far shows that all-gender washrooms may actually be safer than traditional washrooms – both because they reduce the policing of other people using the washroom and the associated violence, but also because they provide less predictability in terms of who is using the washroom, which discourages voyeurism.

The All-Gender Washroom Working Group (AGWWG) was initiated through Lakehead’s Accessibility Committee in response to the University’s Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan that, through broad consultation, identified the need for all gender washrooms across our campuses. The AGWWG reports to the Accessibility Committee and includes members from various stakeholders.

This WG has worked to determine which washroom spaces will be converted and how, ensures proper signage, and continues to monitor the ongoing renovation of spaces as funds allow.

The All-Gender Washroom Working Group has many things to keep in mind with respect to transitioning washrooms:

• Ensuring there are all-gender washrooms in different parts of our campuses

• Ensuring there is enough washroom space to meet the demand

• Ensuring there are all-gender washrooms that are also accessible

• Managing funding constraints

• Ensuring any renovations are in line with building codes

• Ensuring there is inclusive signage to help patrons understand the facilities available to them

• Ensuring the fulfillment of EDI Action Plan Goal 2.3: Create an accessible and inclusive environment (see 2.3.9 on p. 21)

• Lakehead Thunder Bay All Gender Washroom Map

• Lakehead Orillia All Gender Washroom Map

Yes, there continue to be gendered washrooms available throughout our campuses.

Lakehead also has gendered washrooms with clear signage that indicates the type of facilities contained within and who they are for.

It is important to remember that you have choices. If you feel a gendered washroom works for you, you can absolutely use the one that corresponds with how you identify regardless of your gender expression or whether you are cisgender or Trans.

We encourage everyone to make the best choice for them and to not impose choices on others when it comes to their washroom choice.

There are only locks on doors for single-stall washrooms for safety reasons. Multi-stall washrooms do not have locks on the main door so that no one can enter a washroom while another person is inside a stall and lock the door without their knowledge. 

Maintenance

Complaints about washrooms might include maintenance issues such as a lack of soap, toilet paper, paper towel, a water leak, inability to secure a stall door, broken glass or the presence of hazardous material, damaged fixtures, slipping hazards, or sanitation concerns. These can be directed to Physical Plant/Maintenance through calling the phone number on the wall of the washroom or putting in a Work Order (WO). The WO allows you to indicate its level of urgency.

Health & Safety or Violence

Complaints related to health and safety incidents or violence that have occurred in washrooms or on campus generally can be directed to: 

• Security Services (general campus safety) 

• Human Resources (employee safety) or the 

• Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) (harassment, discrimination, or sexual violence)

Accessibility Needs

Individuals needing accessible washrooms as a part of their accommodation plan can reach out to:

• Student Accessibility Services (SAS) (for students)

• Human Resources (for faculty and staff) 

• Security Services (for those with an immediate need or for visitors)

Human Rights Complaints

Those with human rights complaints should speak to the OHRE. An example of this would be a complaint that an accessibility need has not been met after inquiring with SAS or Human Resources.

All-Gender Washroom Working Group (AGWWG)

Anyone who wants to voice concerns respecting the process or the work of the Working Group should contact the Associate Vice-Provost Students who chairs the committee.