“Good points, Jill and Kate...

Since there are male and female toilets next to the unisex ones, then people who don't want to use the unisex ones can use those. It's not like ALL toilets have been 'de-gendered' or made unisex as the scare-mongering media has a tendency to suggest.

The fact is that absolutely ANYONE can walk into any (or virtually all) public lavatories already anyway - irrespective of what sign is on the doors. So there's always been a certain amount of risk in using a public toilet for anyone...

Therefore, for people who feel particularly vulnerable when using the public loos, how about also setting aside a few as cardholder-only. For those students who want the extra-security, locked toilets that are only accesible by cards/keys could be offered as an extra option. Each user could be given their own personal pin number to go with the card, perhaps?

Of course, the number of toilets designated as 'cardholder-only' would depend on the demand for them from worried students. Maybe, the Uni could conduct a survey beforehand to get some sort of idea what students think about this...?”

“Yes, it's a good idea to stop harrassment of transgender people;
Yes drunk students will go in there to have sex. (People do it by the stage normally anyway... so if you think about it, it's just somewhere more private so people on the dance floor don't get a shock!)

If you're not happy with using the loos infront of someone of the opposite genderor feel at risk of attack - don't use them.

There are plenty of others on the other side of the union.
Kate.”

“To the Sentinel and Staffordshire University. This is old news I think you'll find that there was a full scale debate on radio two months ago about the very same issue at Manchester University. Universities are places where people can freely campaign for issues that affect them. Imagine if you felt that you couldn't use either loo for fear of someone having a go at you for not fitting in. Now everyone can spend a penny in peace without fear of persecution for attempting to have a number one or two, the most basic human right. Also, if memory serves me correct from the debate on radio two - you don't have to be transgender to use these loos. Anyone can...should you wish. This isn't a debate about whether transgender is right or wrong - it's about being able to have a pee in peace and freedom of expression...”

“Thanxxx gem, Rob...

I think all-too-many people swallow the sensationalist, tabloid media nonsense about us all being some sort of species of essentially predatory freakish 'Silence of the Lambs' style creatures when, in fact, many of us are pretty boring really.

Most of us won't frequent a public lavatory to eat anyone alive (unless we've not had breakfast, of course!) We just need to have somewhere to spend a penny or do a number two just like anyone else.”

“finally another person who speaks truth. well said rob. hopefully one day people will think outside that box and make this divided world into 1. very unlikely but still...”

“Katie, these people will never understand where you are coming from. They are backward thinking idiotic fools that cant see outside of the box and appriciate you deserve the same rights as anyone else. Infact I would go as far to say they really believe you choose your lifestyle. We both no better. In my opionion you deserve respect for standing up and fighting for who and what you are. x”

“katie,wales.. well said babes. trying to explain to this lot is hard. i hope one day people like yourself can feel comfortable in todays twisted society”

“I'm sensing that there are a great many people who have a tendency to consider us trans people as an arachnophobe would look at a spider. i.e. In other words, you're more likely to do harm to us than we to you(!) Statistically trans people are more likely to be raped, murdered or assaulted than any other group of people on this planet.

If non-trans people don't want us to use the Gents, if non-trans people don't want us to the use the Ladies and if non-trans people don't want there to be any unisex toilets then where on earth can we go...?

So, perhaps it's okay if we urinate and defecate on the pavement in front of everyone then, is it?

Seems to me that we just can't win whatever we do...”

“Their toilets, if they want to create transsexual facilities, toilets for the obese, toilets for midgets, toilets for guys with beards whatever, then that is fine. If I am in the urinals and a woman comes along and gets her thing out next to me and starts using the urinal then I wouldn't have a problem with it.”

“melanie has actually said something worth while.. keep it up kiddo”