Swedish High School Creates Gender Neutral Dressing Room

The elite high school Södra Latin in Sweden recently opened a "gender-neutral" changing room, in an effort to discourage gender stereotypes and promote gay rights. The dressing room—which can be used by kids who want privacy while changing for school activities—is available for transexual students, or anyone else who doesn't want to be defined by gender roles. The lockable room can be used one at a time, instead of a group setting like the ones for boys or girls.

Proposed last year by the student body, the idea for the room was then welcomed by the administration. Student union representative Camille Trombetti explained to the news site The Local: "Every human being deserves a place where they feel comfortable." Unsure of how the larger public will react to such a progressive move, Trombetti continued, "I'd remind people that hundreds of people commit suicide every year because they feel they are born into the wrong sex and don't feel their surroundings accept the gender they identify with."

Already in the same area, a preschool has implemented the practice of calling students "friends" instead of "him" and "her," and many schools in the country, including Södra Latin, are using the gender-neutral noun "hen" for the same reasons. Sweden has been at the forefront of promoting equality for the sexes, as well as championing gay rights. This gender-neutral changing room, said to be the first of its kind in the country, is just another step towards realizing this vision.

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Image via WikiMedia Commons