Upon entering most residence halls on Creighton’s campus, all are confronted with two choices in restrooms: exclusively male or exclusively female.

To someone who does not fit the societal norm of how a female or male should outwardly appear, entering a restroom labeled solely for one sex leads to feelings of embarrassment, exclusion and inferiority.

The problem is not the restroom itself, but rather the onlookers. Those who see someone enter a restroom who does not appear to be the appropriate sex are quick to judge, ridicule and harass.

Some people on Creighton’s campus who wish to remain unidentified have been threatened, insulted and even removed from the restrooms in assumption they are the opposite sex. This behavior is uncalled for and unnecessary.

All students, faculty, staff and administrators should feel welcomed and safe in all parts of campus regardless of their outward appearance. For this reason, gender-neutral restrooms are a must in the lobby area of the residence halls.

Some residence halls, such as Swanson, have highly trafficked areas where numerous people use the public facilities every day.

To someone who does not fit the typical gender coding, approaching such a restroom is a potential danger.

Last spring, a proposal was submitted to the Inter Residence Hall Government for a sign change of all restrooms in the lobbies of residence halls to be unisex restrooms.

This way, anyone may use either restroom without the fear of being judged or harassed.

IRHG supported the proposal of gender-neutral restrooms in the lobbies in residence halls. However, Residence Life has not yet approved the proposal, and many signs have not been changed.

Most restrooms are still designated to either male or female occupants.

This low-cost move could help lessen the feelings of harassment and loss of dignity to many who enter these restrooms daily.

By not changing the signs, people are being denied the right to undertake a basic human function without being harmed by others.

Threats to the person’s comfort and privacy should not be tolerated.

The Student Credo of Creighton University states: “We believe each person, created in God’s image, is called to be God’s child, and therefore possesses intrinsic value as a human being. This includes all persons and excludes any form of discrimination.”

The discrimination one encounters upon entering a gender-specific restroom goes against our beliefs by denying dignity and value to all those on campus.

The discrimination policy even states that “any form of harassment and/or discrimination is a violation of human dignity.”

The largest problem with the sex-specified restrooms is the absence of safety and the denial of comfort in performing a human need.

All should be able to enter a public restroom without feeling intimidated or having the fear of an incident occurring.

For this reason, the signs in residence halls should no longer be exclusively labeled either male or female for the safety and comfort of those who interact on Creighton’s campus.

No one should be denied his or her dignity.

Everyone deserves a place for privacy and safety when taking care of a necessary bodily function.