Being Trans in College
By Devon Pizano
My experience as a trans student navigating the lack of gender-neutral bathrooms
My name is Devon but I was born Alexandra. The name never felt like it belonged to me, as if I was borrowing it until my true name found me. I identify as queer and non-binary, so I don’t see myself entirely as a man or woman. I use they/he pronouns and am an androgynous person with a soft masculine style. I have a disability called Cerebral Palsy which affects my ability to walk. I wear leg braces and use a walker to get around.
Due to my gender identity, I don’t feel comfortable using the women’s restroom at school and use the men’s restroom as it feels more aligned with my gender identity. This wasn’t an issue until March 2020 right before spring break.
I've always been careful since coming out as non-binary and starting to use the men's restroom on campus. I had only used the restroom during times when the buildings were less crowded because I was worried that I would be questioned. Just before spring break, the very thing I was afraid of happened.
Just after class, I was about to use the restroom which was empty. As I walked to the handicap stall, I felt a hand grab my arm as a voice asked what I was doing there. They told me that I needed to use the women's restroom because I'm a woman. I told them I was allowed to be there because I'm trans, and they gave me a strange look and left. I felt unsafe and I immediately went outside to process what had just happened. Although I met up with some friends afterward who told me that they would protect me next time so I would be more comfortable and safe, I still fear using the men’s restroom without someone with me.
I found that there are some gender-neutral restrooms on campus. Although there are some gender-neutral restrooms on campus, they are too few and few spread. As I am disabled, I don't like the idea of having to go across campus to use the restroom. This is a reason there should be more gender-neutral restrooms and have them be truly accessible with either slide or push-button doors. While having handicap stalls is important, having accessible doors is just as important. For someone like me who uses a walker, having the freedom to open a door independently is essential. There isn't always going to be someone around to help us. When I have to use the restroom, I either have to ask someone to open the door for me, which is unreliable and strips me of my independence, or try to open it myself and risk possible injury.
Being a trans person with a disability presents many difficulties, lacking a safe and accessible restroom, on a school campus no less, should not be one of them. Gender-neutral restrooms should be accessible and standard.