Students, staff, faculty, and librarians have repeatedly expressed the need for conveniently located, accessible all-gender washrooms on campus. Our current single-user washrooms are not effectively meeting this need. In response to this, over time, all buildings at UTM will have multi-user all-gender washrooms installed, in addition to single-gender washrooms. Offering a range of options, including multi-user all-gender washrooms, has become a new building standard for future developments on campus.
All-Gender Washroom Locations
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Multi-user options:
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Single-user options:
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*Note: The urinals in this location will remain semi-private (i.e., urinals are separated by privacy screens, but are not fully enclosed within a stall). Urinals in all other spaces are fully enclosed within private, lockable stalls.
Up-to-date location information is available on the layered digital campus map: www.utm.utoronto.ca/map.
The digital campus map continues to be updated with further features to welcome the diversity of the campus community, including including accessibility information, baby-changing stations, breast/chest-feeding locations, and ablution facilities.
If you have questions about any of this information, please consult our Frequently Asked Questions. For further inquiry, please contact the UTM Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Office at edio.utm@utoronto.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is UTM installing all-gender washrooms?
- Is UTM targeting certain user-groups or individuals by installing these washrooms?
- Is UTM installing these washrooms because transgender individuals have felt unsafe in our washrooms?
- Was any research undertaken that suggested all-gender washrooms are needed at UTM?
- Did UTM consult with its stakeholders before making a decision to install all-gender washrooms?
- Where are the all-gender washrooms located?
- How will I be able to identify an all-gender washroom at UTM?
- Will every building at UTM have all-gender washrooms?
- Will I be forced to use an all-gender washroom at UTM?
- What will an all-gender washroom look like inside?
- How will privacy be ensured?
- Will the installation of all-gender washrooms be a new construction standard for buildings at UTM?
- Will all-gender washrooms have other amenities such as ablution facilities, baby-changing stations, and accessibility features?
- Who can I talk to if I have more questions about these changes?
1. Why is UTM installing all-gender washrooms?
At UTM, we recognize that single-gender washrooms (i.e., men’s and women’s facilities) do not reflect the diverse range of gender identities on campus nor do they accommodate other important washroom-user needs, such as adults who accompany young children to the washroom. By expanding our washroom options to include all-gender spaces, we have provided inclusive spaces for a greater number of users.
2. Is UTM targeting certain user-groups or individuals by installing these washrooms?
Many members of the UTM community will benefit from the installation of all-gender washrooms, including specific equity-seeking groups on campus. For example, transgender and gender non-conforming community members may feel more comfortable using an all-gender facility. All-gender washrooms also provide comfortable options for community members who require the assistance of a personal care attendant and/or those with young children. With that said, all members of the UTM community are welcome to use these washrooms.
3. Is UTM installing these washrooms because transgender individuals have felt unsafe in our washrooms?
Safety concerns were not the primary motivation for installing all-gender washrooms, although it is possible that all-gender spaces may enhance feelings of safety for some users. The primary motivation for this conversion was the need for washrooms that reflect and accommodate UTM’s diverse population — a quality of UTM that we consider to be a great strength.
4. Was any research undertaken that suggested all-gender washrooms are needed at UTM?
The need for all-gender washrooms was first raised by a community member at the Principal’s Town Hall in November 2014. Since then, UTM students, staff, and faculty have repeatedly expressed the need for all-gender washrooms in a variety of forums. We are delighted to finally satisfy this request.
5. Did UTM consult with its stakeholders before making a decision to install all-gender washrooms?
The all-gender washroom installation process has involved extensive consultation with students, staff and faculty, including transgender community members, who collectively provided feedback on issues such as washroom location, design and signage, among other things.
6. Where are the all-gender washrooms located?
Multi-user all-gender washrooms are located in Deerfield Hall (2nd floor), CCT Building (3rd floor), Terrence Donnelly Health Sciences Complex (3rd floor), the Recreation, Athletics, & Wellness Centre (ground floor, privacy change room), Deerfield Hall (2nd floor), and Maanjiwe nendamowinan (5th floor). Single-user all-gender washrooms are located in the Davis Building, Recreation, Athletics & Wellness Centre, Kaneff, Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre, the Student Centre, and Maanjiwe nendamowinan. Specific locations can be identified on the online interactive campus map: www.utm.utoronto.ca/map.
7. How will I be able to identify an all-gender washroom at UTM?
To help you identify the all-gender washrooms, we’ve introduced two new symbols: toilet and urinal icons (see below). The washroom signs also clearly say “All-Gender” in text and Braille. Washrooms that are wheelchair accessible or contain baby-changing stations are clearly marked with the standard icons currently in use at UTM. Our approach has been to advertise the range of facilities available in each space, allowing individual users to determine for themselves whether or not a washroom meets their needs, regardless of gender.
8. Will every building at UTM have all-gender washrooms?
UTM has taken a phased approach to the installation of multi-user all-gender washrooms. After this initial conversion is complete, all-gender washrooms will be installed in the remaining buildings and in new developments on campus.
9. Will I be forced to use an all-gender washroom at UTM?
The installation of all-gender washrooms has broadened the range of available washroom options for community members. Every building at UTM also has men’s and women’s washrooms available. Only one set of multi-user washrooms has been converted in each building. Single-gender washrooms are conveniently located near each of the all-gender facilities. Community members have the right to self-identify their gender and use whichever space preferred, be it single-gender or all-gender.
10. What will an all-gender washroom look like inside?
All-gender washrooms are comparable in design and appearance to other washrooms on campus. With exception to the washroom in the CCT Building, all urinals are enclosed within private, lockable stalls. One of the two all-gender washrooms in the CCT Building has three semi-private urinals (i.e., urinals are separated by privacy barriers). These urinals cannot be converted to stalls due to accessibility requirements.
11. How will privacy be ensured?
In six of the seven multi-user all-gender washrooms on campus, private stalls fully enclose the urinals and toilets. In the CCT Building, there is one all-gender washroom with three semi-private urinals (i.e., urinals are separated by privacy barriers). These urinals cannot be converted to stalls due to accessibility requirements. The washroom with three semi-private stalls is clearly marked on the exterior door. If semi-private urinals do not feel comfortable to users, we encourage you to use the all-gender washroom located immediately to the right of this washroom.
12. Will the installation of all-gender washrooms be a new construction standard for buildings at UTM?
Yes, new building developments at UTM will include multi-user all-gender washrooms.
Beyond the enclosure of urinals, no other physical features of the washrooms have been altered. The all-gender washrooms are accessible to wheelchair users. There is a baby-changing station in the all-gender washroom located in the Terrence Donnelly Health Sciences Complex (3rd floor).
14. Who can I talk to if I have more questions about these changes?
If you have questions or concerns that are not addressed in this FAQ, we invite you to contact the UTM Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Office at edio.utm@utoronto.ca or 905-569-4916.
