As part of an effort to further engage the LGBT community, Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) president Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J., has released a memo designating all single comfort rooms (CR)/toilets in the Jacinto Campus as “all gender”.
This move came after an engagement with members of the LGBT community from ADDU.
Toilet access remains a contentious issue particularly among transgender people. While cisgender people may not see going to the toilet as a big issue, for many transgender people, using a toilet means choosing between using a facility that matches the gender assigned to them at birth or their gender identity. The act of using a toilet could, therefore, carry risks of discrimination, harassment and even assault.
For Tabora, this is not only because Davao City has an anti-discrimination ordinance, “but moreso because ADDU is itself positively committed to cultural sensitivity, intercultural dialogue and cultural transformation in favor of a society that is more deeply accepting of diversity, including gender diversity, based on a fundamental recognition of the dignity for all.”
Tabora also said that “dialogue between members of this community and others at ADDU is required to increase understanding and respect for the human needs and sensitivities of all. This would include administrators, teachers, students and staff on all levels.”
Already, the president of the faculty club of ADDU was “invited” to initiate the dialogue with the LGBT community of ADDU. (THANKS TO ATENEWS FOR PROVIDING A COPY OF THE MEMO)
