Gender Open Housing Mac/Safety Concerns

What is gender-open housing?: Currently, all campus housing at Macalester is “gendered” meaning that biological males must room with biological males, and biological females must room with biological females. The basic tenant of gender-open housing is that students could choose to live with individuals of any sex or gender.

I am nervous about sharing a room with someone of a sex or gender different from my own. Will transgender and/or intersex first-years be placed randomly?: The goal of gender-open housing is to make everyone more safer, not less. Although gender-open housing for first years is a long-term goal, only individuals who choose gender-open housing will be placed in it. Gender open housing means more choices for everyone!

How are current gendered bathrooms unsafe? Why can’t things stay the way they are?: Many people do not identify with the gender normally associated with their biological sex, or do not have sex characteristics that fit perfectly with either description of two biological sexes. For a person who does not fit within society’s assumptions about sex and gender, the act of using a public bathroom divided by gender is not only intimidating, but often dangerous. Others may challenge their right to be in that bathroom, and this may lead to invasive questions, arguments, harassment, and violence. No one wants to face these things every time they have to pee, shower, or wash their hands.

I don't feel safe using an all-gender bathroom. I'm worried about sexual violence and harassment.: Single sex bathrooms will continue to be available. It is also important to note that sexual violence and harassment also occurs between people of the same sex or gender, and in any number of places. The goal of gender-open housing is to create a safer and more open living environment for all Macalester students. Most houses do not have separate male and female bathrooms, and many Macalester students choose to live in situations off campus where they share a bathroom with persons of more than one gender.

All gender bathrooms and gender-open rooms are against my moral, spiritual, or religious beliefs. Will I have to live in such an environment if I don’t want to?: You probably already live with people who hold different beliefs than you. People with different and often opposed religions beliefs or political ideologies live together. Mutual respect can arise between people who disagree. That said, no one would be forced into a gender-open roommate relationship who does not wish to be in that situation.

Show your support for gender-open housing! Call Laurie B. Hamre, the Dean of Students at (651)696-6220, or Brian C. Rosenberg, the President, at (651)696-6207.

Created by the Gender Issues Committee, a self-appointed group of students. Contact us at qu@macalester.edu.