Access to sanitation is a human right. For people whose identity and appearance do not fit the usual gender stereotypes, restrooms with binary signage can lead to discriminatory and exclusionary experiences. Trans*, intersex and non-binary people often experience insults, evictions and even violence.
(cf. brochure „Öffentliche Toiletten ohne Diskriminierung“ der Landesstelle für Gleichbehandlung – gegen Diskriminierung (LADS), Fachbereich LSBTI, 2016)
In addition, all non-binary people in public have to decide again and again for a restroom that does not correspond to their identity and are therefore practically not recognized in their identity despite the legally recognized „third option“.
Therefore, the Muthesius University of Art passed a concept in the Senate in 2022, with the implementation of which we are taking an important step towards the visibility of gender diversity and justice.
When we go to the restroom, we usually don’t have much time to read long explanations. That’s why we summarize the most important information about the various options that can be found at the university and publish the plan of the restrooms in the old building. There is an all gender restroom and a restroom for [women, inter-, non-binary and trans]* people on at least every second floor. There are also a few restrooms with binary signs (for men and women). In the other buildings of the Muthesius Kunsthochschule, we mainly have individually lockable all gender restrooms.
Important: At our university, no person is expelled from the chosen restroom because of their appearance or supposed gender. You can’t tell a person’s gender identity by their looks, their voice, or their first name! Therefore, we ask everyone to be sensitive to the shelters of women, intersex, nonbinary and trans* people.
With our concept, we try to offer as many people as possible an option with which they feel comfortable and safe. Nevertheless, we are aware that we are in a process and that we are evolving. The Commission for Equality Opportunities and Diversity is the right place to go for feedback or problems: gleichstellungskommission@muthesius.de
ALL-GENDER RESTROOMS
All-gender restrooms are for everyone, regardless of sex and gender.
Restrooms with binary signs (i.e. male/female) make it difficult for people who do not identify as female or male to visit the restroom every single day. Trans*, intersex and non-binary people often experience violence, are insulted or denied access to certain restrooms. Therefore, all-gender restrooms are an important step towards awareness, visibility, safety and equality.
All-gender restrooms can be found in every building at Muthesius Kunsthochschule.
RESTROOMS FOR [WOMEN, INTERSEX, NON-BINARY AND TRANS]*PEOPLE
These restrooms are additional shelters for people who experience discrimination and violence based on socially established gender norms.
Restrooms for [women, intersex, non-binary and trans]* people can be found at Muthesius Kunsthochschule in the main building, in the Kesselhaus and in the Knooper Weg.
The other buildings have individually lockable sanitary rooms for people who do not feel safe in all-gender bathrooms.
NOTICE
At our university, no person is denied access to any bathroom because of their appearance or supposed gender. A person’s gender identity cannot be known based on their looks, their voice or their first name!
