All-Gender Restrooms

The University of Richmond is committed to ensuring that people of all genders have safe, accessible, and affirming restrooms to use when on our campus. For years now, we have been working towards a shared goal of having All-Gender Restrooms in every building on campus. Most often, these are single-occupancy restrooms, which are easily transformed with a change in signage.

In August of 2023, we added our first multi-stall All-Gender Restroom on the second floor of the Tyler Haynes Commons, a heavily trafficked building that does not currently have any single-occupancy restrooms. Multi-stall men’s and women’s restrooms continue to be offered on the first and third floor of that building.

As we continue to work towards our goal, all new buildings will be required to include at least one All-Gender Restroom. Additionally, we have identified a few older buildings that don’t currently have an All-Gender Restroom and are working to ensure that they include one in their next renovation plan.

The All-Gender Restroom Initiative is a joint initiative between the Division of Equity & Community, Facilities & Operations, Human Resources, and the Student Center for Equity & Inclusion.

View all-gender restrooms on the campus map.

Who can use All-Gender Restrooms?

It’s in the title: All-Gender Restrooms are for ALL! They can be used by anyone, regardless of their gender identity or expression, making them flexible and convenient for a diverse range of people. Having said that, there are a few groups for whom All-Gender Restrooms can provide additional benefits, including:

Non-binary people

Everyone should be able to use a restroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Non-binary people are individuals who do not exclusively identify as men or women and represent a growing part of our campus community.

When buildings only offer men’s and women’s restrooms, they exclude this population from accessing an affirming restroom. Non-binary people are then forced to 1) find an alternative option in a different building, which could be far away or non-existent, 2) refrain from using the restroom altogether, which could lead to health problems, and/or 3) use a restroom that doesn’t correspond with their gender, which may place them in danger or lead to harassment. All-Gender Restrooms provide this group with a convenient, affirming option that aligns with their gender identity.

Gender non-conforming people

Everyone should be able to use a restroom regardless of their gender expression. Not everyone conforms to traditional expectations related to their gender, and that’s okay. Gender non-conforming people can be people of any gender or sexuality. Unfortunately, these individuals disproportionately experience harassment and violence in men’s and women’s restrooms. All-Gender Restrooms provide this group with a safer option, where their gender expression won’t be policed.

Families with mixed-gender composition

Families with individuals of different genders, particularly young children, should not have to separate when using a public restroom. All-Gender Restrooms provide this group with a safer option, where they can stay together and not split up into separate rooms.

Caregivers assisting individuals with disabilities

Some caregivers do not share the same gender as the individuals they are assisting and often need to accompany them into the restroom. All-Gender Restrooms provide this group with a safer option, where they can stay together and give the necessary care.