Thai School Introduces Transgender Bathroom

A secondary school in northeastern Thailand, the Kampang School, has designed a new bathroom for transgender people.

The "transvestite toilet," designated by a human figure that's half man (in blue) and half woman (in red), has been in use since classes started in May.

"The Kampang School came up with the idea of the unisex toilet after a survey conducted last term showed that more than 200 of the school's 2,600 students considered themselves transvestites," said school director Sitiak Sumontha, according to the Associated Press.

The introduction of the new toilets is intended to help transgender students go to the restroom in peace. Using the women's restrooms made some students uncomfortable, and going to the men's room often resulted in harassment.

Thailand has always been seen as a liberal country when it comes to LGBT issues. Though the country does not support same-sex unions, the LGBT community is still considered one of the world's most free and open. (The Advocate)

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (2) MORE \ EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

Reader Comments

Back to top
Name: Daniel
Date posted: 6/19/2008 11:55:00 AM
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale

Comment:
This designation for a 3rd bathroom is like the taste of saccharine, sweet at first, but left with a bitter aftertaste. The bigger issue here is not the need for more bathrooms, but rather a community-wide education effort that teaches students not to harass others who are different. Students should be able to use the bathroom they feel most comfortable associating their gender with. This seems to be the equivalent of 'gay' high schools in this country in LA and NYC. Proponents of these schools side-stepped that these homophobic/insecure straight men should have been held accountable for beating up students who act differently at the prior schools these victims attended. Segregation teaches there's something wrong with one group for an orientation/identity they have no control over. When homophobic students graduate they will not have the option of working in a segregated workplace: why should they be taught that bigotry is ok when they are most mentally malleable??
Back to top
Name: Pat
Date posted: 6/19/2008 12:14:00 AM
Hometown: Seattle

Comment:
This policy is really objectionable. In effect, it's asserting that trans-ness is the most important fact of trans people's lives, i.e., a transwoman is first and foremost trans, rather than a woman, and similarly for transmen (except that the policy -- and this article -- doesn't really acknowledge their existence at all). Maybe what we need are restrooms for men, women, and transphobics.

PREVIOUS 1 NEXT

More Online Only

Film Teen Spirit

While Native American cultures have long honored people of integrated genders, a new documentary looks at a shocking hate crime against a two-gendered Colorado teenager.

Politicians L.A. Confidential

What's it like to be 33, gay, and one of the most powerful people in America's second-largest city? Stressful, says Matt Szabo, the new deputy chief of staff to Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Commentary Love Bites for Twilight's Gay Fans

Gay fanpires are sure to flock to New Moon, but with questions lingering about author Stephanie Meyer and the cash she gives to the Mormon Church, Mike Albo wonders if we'd be better off tying a clove of garlic around our necks.

Youth Church Opens Doors for Homeless Gay Teens

A church-turned-shelter for homeless youth in Queens, New York is a far cry from sleeping on the streets after a $200,000 renovation and a partnership with the Ali Forney Center for LGBT youth.

Music France's Latest Export

He's opened for Britney and Katy Perry, kept Dita Von Teese company in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, and gets name-checked on Twitter by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Silverman. So who the hell is Sliimy, anyway?

Prevention New Breast Health Rules Leave Out Lesbians

Now that new government guidelines are out on how to best care for your breasts, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender women are left with a lot of questions.

Marriage Equality Triumph in the Tar Heel State

The loss of marriage equality in Maine was a major blow on Election Night, but down the coast in North Carolina there was an LGBT victory. Pam Spaulding talks to Chapel Hill's mayor-elect, Mark Kleinschmidt.

Theater Puppet Masters

When performance-art drag diva Joey Arias combines forces with master puppeteer Basil Twist, anything — no, seriously, anything — can happen.

News Softball With Oprah and Palin

Dave White recaps as Oprah plays nice with Palin in her exclusive, personality-rehabbing interview. Topics include Katie Couric ("badgering"), Levi Johnston ("Ricky Hollywood"), and step class ("gee, it's fun").

News View From Washington: Frank Tells

This week Congressman Barney Frank laid out a plan and a timetable for repealing "don't ask, don't tell..." and a reminder that he's been saying it would happen in 2010 from the beginning.

News Features Where's Mitrice?

Mitrice Richardson is a 4.0 student, a former beauty pageant contestant, and a lesbian. She’s also been missing since September, and her family and girlfriend want answers.

Theater Seat Filler

The Advocate’s queen on the New York theater scene meets bisexual conjoined twins, pits Sienna Miller against Jude Law, tastes Cheyenne Jackson’s Rainbow, and saves up for a rainy day with Hugh Jackman.

Art Fairey Good

Controversial artist Shepard Fairey spends his creative capital to bring marriage equality back to California.

Books Hot Sheet: Brüno, Ms. Jackson, and 2012

We'll let you decide whether 2012 is spectacular, Armageddon-tinged eye candy or a hot mess. Plus: A new take on gay romance with Dare.

Television Driving Miss Wanda

Love her or loathe her, drag queen Porsche sidekicks The Wanda Sykes Show into shape.

Film Crazy Like a Fox

Hipster actor Jason Schwartzman gets schooled on his gay fans and the Hollywood closet and reveals why he’s never played a gay role.

Television Viki Victorious?

Soap icon and six-time Emmy Award winner Erika Slezak talks about the trials and tribulation of playing Victoria Lord and her run for mayor, gay rights, and the sudden death that rocks Llanview.

Commentary Called to Serve

The military continues to operate under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which even the Pentagon says is unsubstantiated. As General McChrystal asks for more troops in Afghanistan, one gay Navy vet offers his service to his country in spite of the policy that would deny him.

News Features Marriage Foe Tied to Pro-Gay Companies
Ford Motor Co. and Reynolds American, two companies that receive consistently high marks from the HRC, have ties with Schubert Flint Public Affairs, the firm that was instrumental in defeating marriage equality in California and Maine.

News Features A Few Good Men

In honor of Veteran's Day, two of the most famous gay vets -- Frank Kameny and Dan Choi -- share their letters from Uncle Sam.