Adding Gender-Neutral Bathrooms To Central High School

Currently, Central High School has only one gender-neutral bathroom in the entire school, located in the nurse's office. This poses a significant issue for many genderqueer students who feel uncomfortable or unsafe using gendered restrooms. This limited access puts students in uncomfortable situations, often causing them to feel extra distress when simply trying to use the bathroom. Our goal is to add more gender-neutral bathrooms in the school to ensure all students, regardless of their gender identity, can feel comfortable and safe while going to the bathroom. It is crucial that these changes are made sooner rather than later, as it is affecting many genderqueer students right now. The longer that the bathrooms are left the same, the more students that will have to suffer for a basic human need when there is an easy solution.

Other schools within the Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) district have already successfully implemented changes to include more gender-neutral bathrooms. One example is Johnson High School, which replaced all of their gendered restrooms with gender-neutral, floor-to-ceiling stalls, creating gender non-specific spaces for students to feel safe in. This change not only proved to be feasible but also had many positive outcomes, as many genderqueer students reported feeling safer and more comfortable when using these new bathrooms. Johnson High's modification shows that similar improvements can be made at Central High School, and hopefully eventually all schools within the SPPS district.

Johnson Highschool Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Image

The lack of gender-neutral bathrooms at Central particularly impacts BIPOC students who are also genderqueer. This limited access forces these students to choose between using restrooms where they might not feel safe or comfortable, and avoiding the restroom altogether, which can negatively impact their daily school experience, and can even have negative health effects from avoiding using restrooms at school. These students face unique challenges at the intersection of racial and gender identity discrimination, which creates a hostile environment that can lead to increased skipping and lower academic performance. Chained to Labels ArtworkIntersectionality highlights how BIPOC students, already dealing with systemic racial barriers, experience heightened difficulties when their gender identity is further marginalized. On top of that, the absence of inclusive bathroom facilities sends a message that these students' identities are not recognized or valued as much as the rest of the students, which can make them feel a sense of not belonging in the school community. By adding gender-neutral bathrooms, Central High can take a critical step in reducing the impact of these intersecting struggles, creating a more safe and equitable environment where all students, especially genderqueer and BIPOC students, can feel safe, respected, and supported.

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Helpful Resources

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  • Point of Pride

    Point of Pride is an organization dedicated to supporting trans and genderqueer people by providing them access to vital resources and financial assistance. They offer free chest binders and gender-affirming clothing to those in need and maintain a comprehensive resource library. This organization is important because it helps to alleviate the financial burden many genderqueer people face when accessing gender-affirming items.


  • The Trever Project

    The Tervor Project is the leading organization focused on preventing suicide among LGBTQ+ youth. It provides 24/7 crisis support, resources, and advocacy to promote mental health and well-being. The Trevor Project also offers workshops and educational materials on LGBTQ+ issues. They help to create safer spaces for queer youth, offering life-saving support, and educating allies.


  • What's the T by Juno Dawson

    "What's the T" by Juno Dawson is a guidebook for understanding what it means to be trans or genderqueer. It is packed with advice and answers to common questions about gender, and it includes a glossary of LGBTQ+ terms and additional resources for further exploration. This book can be helpful for individuals questioning their identity, or for allies that are seeking to learn more about gender diversity.


  • St. Paul's Johnson High Eliminating Gender-Specific Restrooms - Pioneer Press Article

    In 2016, Johnson High School became the first high school in the Saint Paul Public Schools district to convert all restrooms into single-occupancy, gender-neutral facilities, and this article covers the change. It not only added more stalls but also created a safer and more inclusive environment for students and staff. It shows the feasibility of important changes like this ones.


  • In St. Paul Schools, Gender-Neutral Bathrooms Have Proven Safer for All Students - MPR Article

    This article by MPR News demonstrates the significance of having gender-neutral bathrooms in schools, focusing on their implementation at Johnson High School. It shows how these bathrooms help to improve privacy, safety, and comfort for all students, especially trans and gender-nonconforming individuals. It shows the shear importance of inclusive facilities like this in schools, and its positive impact on well-being and equity of genderqueer students.


  • Inclusive Restrooms - St. Paul Public Schools Article

    This section on the Saint Paul Public Schools website describes their plan to implement gender-neutral restrooms across all schools in the district. It highlights the features like floor-to-ceiling stalls, locks, and enhanced privacy, as well as answers to common questions. It educates communities about the importance of inclusive restroom designs, which creates a safe and welcoming environment for all students.

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Contact Us

If you'd like to reach out to us, you can email us at changeatcentral@gmail.com.

or you can email us through our school emails: echristenson001@stpaul.k12.mn.us (Emmett Christenson) and cschayes001@stpaul.k12.mn.us (Casper Schayes).

You can also leave a comment on the petition page if you'd like. We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback! Here's the link to the petition: Petition.

Your thoughts and feedback are highly appreciated!