Third toilet in Wittenberge: progress or rejection?

Third toilet in Wittenberge: progress or rejection?

A new, forward-looking project has seen the light of day in the eye day clinic in Wittenberge: a third toilet for various people. This inclusive bathroom, found between the men's and women's toilets, offers not only a toilet but also a sink. The design of the toilet is remarkable because the associated pictogram symbolizes a person who displays both male and female characteristics. This sends a strong signal for acceptance and diversity. Loud maz-online.de However, clinic manager Isabelle Könning shows that not all patients are open to this innovation; some refuse to use the third toilet.

Vivian Ohmsen, co-organizer of the Christopher Street Day in Prignitz, emphasizes the importance of such toilet facilities and speaks of the need to create spaces for all genders. Könign's assessment that younger people under 25 in particular are more open to the third toilet supports the idea that acceptance often correlates with age.

Need for family-friendly facilities

Another suggestion from Könning is to introduce a lower children's toilet and a changing mat on the ground floor of the clinic, as many young patients are treated there. After all, almost 900 children have been treated in the clinic since it opened in October 2022, which illustrates the need for action.

The third option, “diverse,” was introduced in 2018 after the Federal Constitutional Court ruled in favor of an inter* person in a groundbreaking ruling. This not only has legal but also social consequences - the TransInterQueer association, for example, actively advocates for discrimination-free use of toilets. On their website transinterqueer.org You can find further information on this important topic.

The need to offer gender-appropriate toilets in public facilities is also felt at the University of Hamburg, where a concept for all-gender toilets is being developed. These are intended to enable a non-discriminatory study and working environment. Trans* and inter* people often have discriminatory experiences when using the toilet, which is a big problem. A comprehensive offer is being promoted here, which already exists in many facilities in the form of all-gender toilets. These not only promote access and equality, but are also beneficial for various user groups, such as fathers with diaper-changing children or people with disabilities. Details can be found at uni-hamburg.de.

It remains to be seen how the acceptance of such offers will develop regionally, but the commitment of the Wittenberge Eye Day Clinic is an important step in the right direction. In order to promote equal coexistence, it is crucial that society continually develops and that all people are recognized and respected, regardless of their gender.