The City of Reykjavík’s human rights committee is considering a suggestion made through the ‘Better Reykjavík’ website that city toilets and changing rooms, including at swimming pools, should be gender neutral.
Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir, a board member of Iceland’s queer association, Samtökin 78, says she is in favor of the proposal, Vísir reports.
“From my point-of-view this would be good for trans people who don’t fit the dualism of man and woman, and for other people who might be of other genders than these two,” Ugla says. She adds that the system would also be good for families, single parents and disabled people who need assistance.
“I went swimming in France and there the changing rooms were totally gender neutral. People made use of private changing cubicles and private shower cubicles.” The system was comfortable and it was nice to be able to go to the changing rooms with friends, regardless of their gender, Ugla says.
Samtökin 78 has not yet formally made an opinion on the city proposal, but Ugla predicts it will be positive.
The human rights committee passed the proposal on for comments from Samtökin 78, the committee for disabled people, and the human rights office.
