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Posts tagged as “restrooms”

(Archive February 2019) All-Gender Restrooms All Gone?

By editorialteam on April 3, 2025

By Sophia Schlegelmilch | Assistant Editor

The All Gender Restroom signs as they used to appear around campus (left) and one of the Faculty Restroom signs that have replaced them (right).
Photos by Thomas Hill Jr.

Students and administrators are searching for alternatives due to a conflict with plumbing codes which required the all-gender bathrooms on the Gardner campus to be reassigned as single-gender faculty bathrooms. 

According to Dean of Students Jason Zelesky, the school was informed that the bathrooms were not compliant with State Plumbing Code about two weeks ago, after an inspection related to other construction efforts. The school was ordered to make the changes immediately, said Zelesky, in order to avoid penalties, which could potentially include loss of the school’s occupancy permit or closure of the building.  read more

(Archive December 2018) New Law in Mass has Passed at Last

By editorialteam on April 1, 2025

By Sophia Schlegelmilch | Observer Contributor

Ballot Question 3, a referendum on Massachusetts Public Accommodation Law, passed with almost 68% approval.

Question 3 asked voters if they agreed with the 2016 decision to add gender identity to the list of statuses protected from denial of service or accommodation in public places. The law also controversially included provisions to allow individuals to use spaces that are traditionally divided by gender, such as restrooms and locker rooms, in a manner consistent with their self-identified gender. read more

(Archive February 2018) Students Support Gender Inclusive Restrooms on Campus

By editorialteam on February 4, 2025

By Ashley McHugh | Observer Contributor

A sign designating one of the new All Genger Restrooms.
Photo by Thomas Hill Jr.

Gender neutral bathrooms are popping up on campuses across the country, including here at Mount Wachusett Community College. The move for the gender neutral bathrooms on campus began last year with the transgender population petitioning for the change. 

According to The New York Times, the movement initially began in 2013 when a transgender athlete in Illinois pushed for her right to gender inclusive bathrooms. Last fall, the Department of Education’s Civil Rights sector ruled in favor of the student’s need for gender inclusive bathrooms. It was arranged for the student to use the locker room and the school would install private changing areas. Some in the community denounced the decision while others joined the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, which represented the girl, in declaring a victory for civil rights.  read more