Safe(r) bathrooms in Chicago?

[Anna M]

I found a "Safe Restrooms" listing for the Minneapolis area at http://www.mntranshealth.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=26. It's a compilation of places that have gender-neutral bathrooms so folks on the trans* spectrum who either haven't fully transitioned or don't identify on the binary don't have to pick either-or when they need to go.

Is there something similar available for the Chicago area? If possible, I'd like to know at least a few places where I don't have to go to the wrong bathroom (because I haven't started transitioning yet and lack makeup skills, so there's no way on earth I'd pass yet even if I did dress en femme).

[CharleneT]

I haven't heard of a listing for such, but I think a safe bet would be the newer the building, the more likely they will have "family bathrooms".

[Jorja]

To my knowledge, unless you are on campus at the University of Chigago, there is no list available. Most newer buildings will usually have gender neutral or family bathrooms. That is not to imply that you are safe. Anytime you have your panties down around your ankles, you are vulnerable. If all else fails, tie a knot in it and run for home.

[Nicole Brown]

Hey Anna,

There is a website named "safe to pee", no pun intended, which contains list of safe places across the country with rest rooms which are safe to use. I have personally used this site and have also added to it when I could and it is totally accurate to my knowledge. Just go to www.safetopee.org.

[pamela_a]

Anytime you have your panties down around your ankles, you are vulnerable.

What are you doing with your panties around your ankles in the bathroom??? I don't know any woman who pulls them down past their knees. IME, only males pull them down that far.

[Traci Elizabeth]

What are you doing with your panties around your ankles in the bathroom??? I don't know any woman who pulls them down past their knees. IME, only males pull them down that far.


I agree, who among us pull our panties down to our ankles? Not me that's for sure!

[Jorja]

What are you doing with your panties around your ankles in the bathroom??? I don't know any woman who pulls them down past their knees. IME, only males pull them down that far.

Figure of speech ladies. Don't get your panties in a bunch and take everything so serious!

[Krististeph]

Here is a link to the Chicago section- http://safe2pee.org/new/map/us/il/chicago

The header on that page says 60 locations, most of which are listed as gender neutral.

[Anna M]

Krististeph, that is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for! I'll be passing that info on to one of my trans* friends who lives in Chicago, as well as using it on my upcoming trip. Thank you! :hugs:

[danielleb]

To my knowledge, unless you are on campus at the University of Chigago, there is no list available. Most newer buildings will usually have gender neutral or family bathrooms. That is not to imply that you are safe. Anytime you have your panties down around your ankles, you are vulnerable. If all else fails, tie a knot in it and run for home.

Actually, there was an initiative this past winter to push businesses to establish restrooms for trans people. There were only a small # of businesses to respond, around 30 or so, but the list is out there somewhere. :)


Ok, after a quick search, here's what I was thinking of: Local group starts trans-friendly bathroom initiative (http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=30683)

[RADER]

On the "Tollway" Oasis's, they have a unisex handy cap bathroom for people who need assistance
in wheel chairs, and mothers with children etc.
Rader

[Serana]

I'm quite surprised to here of such an idea, to be honest. I personally wonder if it's such a good idea to introduce such? I mean, yes there are certainly pros but if you use a 'gender neutral' bathroom, isn't that the same as just shouting out "I'm trans" to everyone in the vicinity? As much as I would love such an idea, I also would never use it for that fact.

Especially in the case when we are all concerned with 'passing' in public, and then using something that totally takes that illusion away if they don't see past that 'illusion' (- .- I can't find a better way to describe it, apologies). Is it really such a good idea? Considering the amount of problems trans people have as it is, I'm sure this would only make it worse.

What about people that weren't trans who used it as a way to target people? Surely we can't tell if they're trans or not, that's even more ambiguous than if someone is male or female, lol. I feel it's a step in a direction, and it's showing that people and societies are slowly trying to be, and are being more accommodating for trans people, but I feel it's also labeling them just for using that kind of bathroom. I feel it's more like painting a bulls-eye on your head than anything else. Especially considering there are more than likely issues that are more important than 'where should they pee'?

Hopefully I'm not the only one that thinks like this, but I do feel it's a nice idea, and at least it shows, as I say, that society is trying to be more accepting of the trans community.

Seri-chan~

[Stephenie S]

I was in a hotel complex last winter where the bathrooms were labeled:

"Bathroom With Stalls"

"Bathroom With Urinals"

My friends and I used the one labeled "Bathroom With Stalls" and as I was fixing my hair at the mirror, a guy came out of one of the stalls. I found it just a bit disconcerting, but none of the other women I was with seemed perturbed at all. He did not stay to fix his hair or even to wash his hands (ICK!) but trucked right on out of there.

I stopped at a convenience store off the highway recently. The bathroom was labeled women/men. I went right in and found a urinal plus a toilet. I have to admit I am put off by the presence of a urinal. It just seems wrong to pee standing up.

It's a small thing though and shows a bit of enlightenment, I guess.

[ColleenA]

... if you use a 'gender neutral' bathroom, isn't that the same as just shouting out "I'm trans" to everyone in the vicinity?

Not at all, Serana. There are many reasons why people use a gender-neutral bathroom other than that they are trans. I'll give a few examples, but first, know that many of these bathrooms are private with a single toilet and a locking door rather than providing lockable stalls as the only private areas. And they tend to be fairly spacious.

Sometimes these facilities are marked as "family" restrooms. That way a father with, say, a 3-year-old daughter can have a place to take and assist her rather than bringing her into the men's room, or a mom who doesn't trust public men's rooms can give her young son privacy and safety.

Similarly, as Rader mentioned, it is a good way for any adult who needs assistance, say by a spouse or aide, to be able to use a public facility.

Also, though, I had an SO who wanted me to come with her when she went to the bathroom whenever possible :eek:, whether at home or out. Why? She didn't want to interrupt our conversation! That was something I had never encountered before (even when I was married, bathroom time was always alone time), so it took some getting used to, but eventually we would use a gender-neutral bathroom together if one was available.

For a final example, let me mention that one of my sons has what is known as "shy kidney," the inability to urinate in the presence of others. (See http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Shy+kidney for more info.) His is so severe it restricts him from being able to urinate or defecate easily in a public restroom when someone else is there, even though he is in the privacy of a stall. You can understand then why he is happy to use these facilities.

[Serana]

I must admit Colleen, I hadn't thought of half the things you mentioned there, so that's quite interesting to know, actually. I think you've brought some good points lol. I think I can agree then that they are certainly a good idea, and makes it much more convenient for people outside of the trans community too. That list of pros hsa just increased by a bit lol, and I suppose you've persuaded me in the opposite direction now. Thanks for keeping me informed there, lol.

I did take the chance to look at the site, and it's impressive to see that there is a decent list of places that are adopting such a thing, and I'm starting to feel it's a better thing in the long run. I wonder though how many companies or such would agree to it, given that it is better in such a wide variety of ways. It'll be interesting to see if it kicks off in the future. Though it is no bother for me whether they are there or not, I certainly do feel they're a good thing then.

Thanks again for your words, Colleen. :)

Seri-chan~

[ColleenA]

I wonder though how many companies or such would agree to it, given that it is better in such a wide variety of ways. It'll be interesting to see if it kicks off in the future.

Thanks again for your words, Colleen. :)
Seri-chan~

They have been a growing trend in the US for probably the last ten years or so at shopping malls and other public venues as well as at some larger places of business. (Many small places of business often have only one bathroom, so by necessity it is gender neutral.)

Happy I could enlighten you. :^5: