The number of LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual) are low, but they do exist on campus. According to the research done by “National Human Rights Commission” in 2020, 231 (39.2%) out of 589 transgender people do not eat or drink to not go to the public restroom. The frequency of urination may differ depending on the individuals, season, temperature, and fluid intake. Still, generally, adults go to the toilet about five to six times a day on average. However, because it is uncomfortable to use the public restroom, transgender people barely go to the bathroom until they arrive home.

For better or worse, there is no doubt that the “issue of housing for LGBTQIA in dormitory” started from the PNU community on March 8th led to discourse regarding the importance of facilities. From March 16th to 17th at “Neokneokhan Teo”, “Channel PNU” asked Pusan National University (PNU) members whether they agreed or disagreed with creating and installing a new facility for the gender-neutral. After explaining it through the panel, the respondents put the sticker on the “agree” or “disagree” board. “Gender-neutral facility” was defined as “Restroom For All” without gender distinction or a dormitory that the third gender can also use.

Among the total 583 respondents, 268 (46.0%) agreed, while 293 (50.3%) disagreed. An anonymous said, "It is true that there are many inconveniences when we think of being men and women. I have seen a lot of news about the constant rise of related issues, and it seems like we genuinely need one now." Another anonymous also said, "I agreed because a Gender-neutral facility would be convenient for not only LGBTQIA like transgender people, but also for disabled and child-accompanied guardians."

An anonymous, who disagreed with the “Gender-neutral facility” said, "I am reluctant to share dormitory or restroom with non-surgery transgender people." An anonymous who took a long time for consideration said, "I agreed until I saw an article of sex crime happened in Gender-neutral facility in the U.S. After that, I found it hard to agree because I'm worried about the crime."

22 respondents (3.7%) did not take any stance. The other anonymous said, "I agree with the necessity of a gender-neutral facility, but I cannot exclude the problem of reverse discrimination. If many people feel uncomfortable installing it, it will not be useful and will not be the ultimate solution."

Besides, most PNU students answered, “I do not know what gender-neutral facility is,” and “I have never thought about it. I need more time to think.”

Regarding this plan started from the “issue of housing for LGBTQIA in the dormitory,” Shim Ki-Yong, a chairman of the operating committee of “Dawoom,” a youth LGBTQIA human rights activist group, said, "It is not easy to create a gender-neutral facility in reality. Rather than bringing out social consensus, if school opens the public sphere and be proactive, we could find a way."

Regarding the safety concern of the gender-neutral facility, chairman Sim carefully said, "In the society where men creating a male society and women creating a female society and seeking safety in two separated spaces that never meet each other has limits, ultimately. Sex minority human rights groups are also trying to go beyond the dichotomous gender system. This attempt should continue socially."

Reported Channel PNU

Translated by Lee Su-Hyun