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Chicago Public Schools (CPS) officials have issued a new edict: All schools within the district must adopt new signage to transform bathrooms into gender-neutral spaces.
The order is part of a new initiative billed as being a “big step forward for gender equity,” and it requires schools within the district to put up bathroom signs saying that male and female students can begin using the restroom that best aligns with their sexual identity.
“We’re requiring all schools to adopt new signage to make our restrooms more inclusive,” CPS noted in a tweet announcing the new policy along with a video. “This is a big step forward for gender equity for our students and staff.”
ICYMI: We’re requiring all schools to adopt new signage to make our restrooms more inclusive. This is a big step forward for gender equity for our students and staff. pic.twitter.com/4JPBdd1jQy
— CPS – Chicago Public Schools (@ChiPubSchools) November 30, 2021
The move not only applies to students but also CPS staff.
“All CPS students and staff will have fair and equitable access to bathroom facilities that align with their gender identity,” said CPS Title IX Officer Camie Pratt said in the video.
Pratt went on to say that the new signs will “make it clear that all restrooms are open for use by anyone who feels comfortable,” adding that the policy is a way to “increase gender equity for all.”
An example of the signage reads: “This is a gender-neutral restroom with multiple stalls. It is open to users of any gender identity or expression.”
Pratt noted that CPS’ Office of Student Protections and Title IX is “working on a long-term plan” to ensure that the signage becomes permanent.
Social media users voiced their opposition to the policy online.
Totally focused on the most important things 🙄 pic.twitter.com/KkvSlNXGLf
— Jim Tressel’s Burner (@brutus1207) December 3, 2021
School restrooms are a prime location for harrassment and bullying. I am concerned for female students’ safety and self-esteem. Parents need to weigh in before this goes district wide! Why not designate 1-2 gender neutral restrooms/school while keeping the rest gender specific?
— Andi V. (@AndiVinci1) December 1, 2021
What is CPS doing to accommodate girls who may not feel comfortable using the bathroom with a boy in the next stall?
— Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud (@margeesha) November 30, 2021
This is backwards, not acceptable. What about the girls that have their periods that are already uncomfortable in the 🚻 now their being subjected to having boys in there too? NO!!!!!
— IAmJaxxSheard (@JaxxSheard) December 1, 2021
My niece is 12 and had just gotten her first period at the beginning of the 7th grade school year. She went in the “inclusive” bathroom and found two boys in there. Now it’s been a battle because she won’t drink anything as she tries to never have to use bathrooms at school.
— Roger Moore (@BonusDonuts) December 3, 2021
What about the safety, privacy & dignity of your female staff & pupils?
Don’t they count?
Or are you only interested in performing “equality” that grants males unfettered access to females in vulnerable situations?— Human Magpie 🟥🧙🏁🟩⬜🟪🦖🦕 (@HumanMagpie) December 3, 2021
“This is a big step forwards for predators to easily access victims.”
There. Fixed it for you.
Have you somehow missed the recently reported rapes of schoolgirls by males in school toilets?
— Human Magpie 🟥🧙🏁🟩⬜🟪🦖🦕 (@HumanMagpie) December 3, 2021
Boys using the girls bathroom. What could possibly go wrong?
— Aaron Mann (@BuickMuscle) December 2, 2021
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Originally from Indiana, she now calls sunny Florida her home.
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