Straight, White, Cisgender Student has Problem with ‘gender-neutral’ Bathroom

UCC Food Science student Eleanor Fahey has revealed this week that she is “not ok” with the recent introduction of a gender-neutral bathroom on campus.The decision by the Students Union to introduce the toilets to the SU Common Room has been the subject of much discussion. While some see the move as a step forward for inclusivity on campus, Ms Fahey – who is straight, white, and cisgender – has been left feeling “offended and downtrodden”.“Personally, I believe it will negatively affect my life,” Eleanor claims. “Despite rarely being in the vicinity of the SU Common Room and the presence of several dozens of single-sex bathrooms on campus, I am personally uncomfortable with the thought of using such a bathroom, and for this reason, I believe the decision should be reversed.”Ms Fahey, who “totally gets the whole minority thing or whatever”, also added that she has “been oppressed, like, a lot” throughout her life.“One time, I tried to get into a nightclub and the bouncer wouldn’t believe I was 18, and I was literally turning 18 two days after,” she laments, “so you can’t say I don’t understand oppression. Plus I have a really diverse social circle; one of my friend’s friends is an actual lesbian, and I’m usually ok with being around her. So if I can put up with this, all those people going on about needing gender-neutral bathrooms need to stop whining.”Many other students in the straight, white, cisgender subgroup who agree with Ms Fahey’s views feel that this move by the Student’s Union is yet another example of the type of adversity they face on a daily basis, with many believing that having the vote should be enough for “minorities”, and that by seeking equality, acceptance, and comfort in everyday life they are “just being awkward”.Ms Fahey has since organised a boycott of the bathroom in question, with her and a sizeable minority of two other students actively avoiding the facility in the SU Common Room every Monday, when she is on the other side of campus for a lecture in the Kane Building, which, like all other UCC buildings, has gender-specific toilet facilities.