Gender neutral bathroom signs causing confusion

A gender-neutral bathroom sign is seen in this undated photo.

Going to a public washroom is usually a no-brainer for most, but for people who are transgendered, it is not quite as straightforward.

Capital Health has introduced a new gender neutral sign in an attempt to be inclusive, but instead it is creating confusion. The signs have been out for a month and have created a lot of discussion.

“Ridiculous, not very obvious,” says one Halifax resident.

After community consultation, with input from transgendered individuals, Capital Health introduced a symbol to include people who identify as transgendered.

“When an issue is brought up from our community members at large, we want to do something to address that so this was the first step in helping to address that,” says Capital Health clinical nurse specialist Anita Keeping.

However, the message might be spinning in the wrong direction. Saint Mary’s Film and Media Assistant professor Jennifer Vanderburge appreciates the intent, but believes it is off the mark.

“In an effort to break down the opposition between male and female gender, what they’re doing is reinforcing that binary,” says Vanderburge.

She says icons should be immediately recognizable for clarity.

Kevin Kindred works with the Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project. Their mission is to seek equality for people of all gender identities.

“Being in the bathroom where you’re perceived to be the wrong gender creates a security problem and transgender people say that’s an issue. So creating washrooms that are gender neutral are great,” says Kindred.

More of these signs could be popping up soon. Capital Health officials say the IWK could be getting more of them in the near future.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Felicia Yap