Non-binary toilets in schools may become standard. A modern approach to pupils settles in the Czech Republic

One of the first significant steps in the Czech Republic in this respect was the initiative of the Faculty of Humanities at Charles University in Prague. The faculty opened non-binary toilets in 2022, which are also accessible to the disabled and have a changing counter. These toilets can be used by all students regardless of their gender identity. Despite strong hateful reactions on social media, the faculty is standing by its decision.

Subsequently, a petition was created by students at Msaryk University in Brno to have these toilets introduced there as well. "It often happens that students cannot find toilets designated for their gender, which can result in unpleasant situations and have a negative impact on their health. Students who identify as non-binary are in the worst situation. Fulfilling physiological needs is more than important to working effectively on campus, which is why proximity and appropriate signage for restrooms is also very important to us," said petition author Jullian Charous.

The most recent example is the Gymnasium and Secondary Vocational School in Plasy. The school allowed pupils to choose the toilet according to their gender identity, but without setting up special non-binary toilets. Markéta Lorenzová, the headmistress of the school, commented, "We do not have any non-binary toilets in the true sense of the word at our school. We did not add any special space, as it was written in many places, nor did we mark anything specially. We only respect the needs of those students who have changed their gender and can now use the existing toilets according to their identity."

The move has also sparked hate comments on social media, and again the school insists it is respecting the needs of all pupils. "I do not have information about other students who are considering changing their identity or hiding it for now. But if such a situation arises in the future, we will deal with it in the same way. This is to show that we respect such children," the principal said.

Impact of non-binary toilets on the school environment

A study conducted in several schools in the United States has shown that the introduction of non-binary toilets can have a positive impact on the school environment. According to the study, students felt safer and more accepted, which led to better school performance and a reduction in bullying. The improvement in school climate also had a positive effect on the overall atmosphere in the school, where interpersonal relationships and mutual respect between students were strengthened.