Gender-neutral bathrooms in Quebec ‘matter of safety’ for trans people, activist says

A trans activist says it’s a “matter of safety” that Quebec schools start providing students gender-neutral bathrooms.

“It’s a matter of making sure everyone feels included and welcomed,” said Celeste Trianon.

Gender roles and gender-neutral bathrooms in Quebec schools have become a contentious topic in the province.

“It’s only now this year within this broader context of rising anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ+, and, in particular, anti-trans hate that we’re suddenly panicking about this,” said Trianon, who is also a law student.

Gender-neutral bathrooms and a nonbinary teacher’s request to use the honorific Mx. in class have sparked discussions on trans issues and gender identity in Quebec schools.

“Trans rights, it’s not supposed to be a partisan issue,” said Trianon.

“It’s first and foremost a human rights issue. One about an extremely marginalized group which needs better social support and just better networks in general in order to live their best lives.”

Trans activist and law student Celeste Trianon on Sept. 15, 2023. (Diona Macalinga, CityNews)

Reaction to Rouyn-Noranda school

A school in Rouyn-Noranda announced they’re working on providing its students mixed-gender bathrooms. School officials have said the proposed bathrooms would have stalls that are closed from floor to ceiling, but the sink area would be shared.

Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville said he objects to mixed-gender bathrooms on the basis of privacy, adding that boys could tease girls who are going through puberty.

He called on the school to change its plan but said he is open to an individual gender-neutral bathroom.

Trianon says the health and safety of trans people in Quebec is at risk.

“I’ve had many case reports of people holding their bladders the whole day, refusing to drink any liquids from morning until they get home after school in order to avoid having to use a gendered washroom and risk the possibility of violence,” said Trianon.

After threats started rolling in against one nonbinary teacher who asked their students to use the honorific Mx., Drainville brought up the possibility of creating a panel of experts to study gender identity in Quebec schools.

Trianon believes a panel could produce mixed results, feeling trans people and parents of trans kids need to be part of the discussion in order for it to work.

“This can go very well or can go very terribly at the same time.”