University’s Gender Policy Causes Mix-up In Locker Room

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RIT’s controversial gender-inclusive facilities policy permits individuals aged 8 and above to use facilities matching their gender identity. This approach recently led to an incident involving a male graduate research assistant who inadvertently entered a women’s locker room.

“The university levied three charges against a male graduate research assistant for allegedly accidentally entering a women’s locker room in early July, admitting later that it would be ‘awkward’ for a male to be in a women’s locker room,” reported Campus Reform.

A protest staged by trans activists yesterday at the Capitol involved "trans, non-binary, and cis people" dancing in the women's restroom.

The move was in response to legislation proposed by Rep. Nancy Mace, which would bar men from using women's facilities on federal property. pic.twitter.com/dhLpxkkAPj

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— REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) December 5, 2024

The situation was ultimately resolved with minimal consequences. “RIT scheduled a hearing for Aug. 17, but dropped the charges, giving the research assistant, who asked to remain anonymous, only a warning.”

The facility’s current layout remains unchanged since the incident. “The university’s gender-neutral locker room situated at the rear of the designated men’s locker room, as well as a separate gender-neutral restroom located at the back of the designated women’s locker room. In the video, the facilities are referred to as the ‘left’ room and the ‘right’ room, rather than using gender-specific labels.”

The gender-neutral spaces require card access, with specific amenities including three showers, toilets, two sinks, and a bench. Access is granted upon request.

David Stevens, Center for Recreational Sports director, explained that these facilities serve “Students, faculty, staff, or alumni who identify as transgender and/or non-binary, who have or are transitioning, ‘or simply don’t feel comfortable changing in front of other people and want to use that space for a bit more privacy.'”

Additionally, “An RIT Office of Student Life representative confirmed with Campus Reform that an individual who claims they are nonbinary can enter either the men’s or women’s locker room to access either ‘all-gender space.'”

Sanity is being restored in our country. Christians should praise God for this.

“I will ask congress to pass a bill establishing that the only genders recognized by the United States government are male and female and they are assigned at birth.”pic.twitter.com/up86SuSSUh

— Grant R. Castleberry (@grcastleberry) November 7, 2024

The autistic research assistant involved in the incident expressed relief at its conclusion. The event unfolded on July 8, when he mistakenly entered the women’s facility.

“I was just walking around campus, and I was in part of the gym area where I normally don’t go, and I took a turn and I saw a sign that said ‘all-gender locker room,'” the 30-year-old research assistant told Campus Reform. “I kept walking, and I realized this room was actually inside the women’s locker room for some reason, so I ran out covering my eyes, but a security camera caught me.”

The incident has sparked renewed discussions about facility access policies and their implications for campus safety and privacy.