UGM motions passed with narrow win for 'toilets for all'

The ‘toilets for all’ motion was passed with the narrowest margin with 183 voting for, 133 against and 19 abstaining. The motion was designed to raise awareness of the lack of provision of gender neutral toilets on campus and the potential benefits of them to particular groups.

It proposed ensuring that in addition to gendered facilities at least one gender neutral toilet is provided at all events where possible. It also proposed that the university should look into providing at least one gender neutral toilet in all new developments as well as improving existing provision.

Peter Warner-Medley, who is one of the current YUSU LGBT Officers, told The Yorker: "All of YUSU LGBT was delighted that all the motions passed. They are each important in protecting trans people during the struggle of coming to terms with who they are and how they present themselves to the world - during their 'trangst'."

Warner-Medley added: "Most students won't notice the differences that these motions make - not even those of the heatedly debated and much maligned 'toilets for all' motion - because they are not designed to make a noticeable difference to anyone apart from the community at which they were aimed, for whom hopefully the difference will be massive."

Regarding the Nouse article on the 'toilets for all' motion, which at press time had attracted 173 comments, he said: "Whilst perhaps not all of the comments have been positive, at least these issues are being discussed, and we think it's fantastic not only that people are talking about trans rights and care about them, but also that the students have voted to protect them."

The rest of the motions all passed with much larger majorities. The motion to recognise students' preferred names passed with 236 for, 56 against and 28 abstaining.

This motion proposed a greater awareness and understanding that some students, including trans and international students, need to adopt a preferred name during their time at university and that this needs to be recognised where possible.

Em Brownbill, who proposed the motion, said: "This motion is a win for anyone who goes by a different name from the one on their transcript."

Brownbill continued: "Trans students particularly have to juggle different names in different places depending upon who they are/aren't out to, and it's extremely comforting to know that once you've changed your preferred name, your transcript name won't pop up on things like attendance lists. It saves a lot of hassle and embarrassment for both students and staff."

Brownbill said the university has generally been great about her own name change, but added: "There are still some places where the resolutions of this motion need taking on board and it's fantastic to have the union behind that."

The 'learning disabilities' motion also passed with a large majority with 253 for, 24 against, and 26 abstaining. The motion proposed a greater awareness of dyslexia and support for students with it. It also called for a better screening system to test students for dyslexia to ensure that it does not go unnoticed and negatively affect their degree.

Proposer Jason Rose said: "It is fantastic to see so much support - having such a mandate will really help the university improve learning disability support."

The other motions passed were to 'improve data capture and gender options' also proposed by Warner-Medley. This passed with 236 for, 56 against and 28 abstaining. The motion proposed making sure that all data capture used the term gender as opposed to sex and where possible includes an opt-out or alternative to ticking male or female.

Finally a motion to 'receive and ratify minutes from previous UGM meetings' was passed with 169 for, 12 against, and 83 abstaining.

For further details on the motions and new policy, click here.

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