Gender neutral bathrooms are becoming more and more prevalent on campuses. Now that we aren't dividing restrooms by gender, people are free to use whatever vacant facility they choose.
This is a huge step in the right direction, however, I think a few ground rules need to be put in place.
Recently, I was in a unisex restroom and found it to be haunting. The toilet seat was up, tobacco chew was left on the counter, and unidentified blue goo was smeared to the wall. Not only that, but I found a used feminine product next to the garbage!
I will save you the graphic description of smell, but let's just say it was sweaty house party meets dirty feet and feces.
It is the wild west as far as bathroom use is considered. Our long history with binary gender facilities has given perceptions of what public restrooms should look like. People who went in female restrooms know what female bathrooms should look like. People who went in male facilities know what male restrooms should look like, causing a disconnect between the two groups of people.
It is necessary to set some ground rules and social standards to unisex bathrooms because I never again want to walk into that bomb again. What was acceptable behavior in a female bathroom might not have been in a male bathroom and vice versa. With time, this will be solved and perceptions of what public restrooms should look like will merge, but until then, my best advice is to close your eyes, hold your breath and plug your nose.
