Gender-Inclusive Campus Restrooms and Bathrooms

UMass Amherst has a long-standing commitment to social progress and social justice. The university affirms this responsibility by creating and ensuring a respectful, safe, and inclusive campus for all members of the community.

In 2014--even before Massachusetts law banned discrimination based on gender identity in public restrooms in the state--UMass established a formal policy protecting the rights of trans and nonbinary people in campus restrooms. The intention of the policy is to enable trans and nonbinary people to use university restrooms without harassment or discrimination. The policy states:

“The University of Massachusetts Amherst strives to create and sustain a campus environment that supports and values all members of our community. One aspect of creating a supportive environment is providing safe, accessible, and convenient restroom facilities. Students, staff, faculty, and campus guests should use the restroom facilities that correspond to their sex or gender identity, or utilize single-user facilities that are designated as a “restroom” or “gender-inclusive restroom.”

In practice, the policy means that all people may use the gendered restrooms (i.e., restrooms labeled “men” or “women”) in which they feel safest and most comfortable. If a person experiences harassment or discrimination while using a gendered restroom, there are number of options for filing a bias report and connecting to support systems. 

Locations of Campus Gender-Inclusive Restrooms and Bathrooms

Most gender-inclusive restrooms and bathrooms on campus are single-user, lockable facilities. There are more than 200 gender-inclusive restrooms in academic and service buildings, approximately 150 gender-inclusive restrooms on the first floors of residence halls, and more than 50 gender-inclusive bathrooms (with showers) on residence hall floors, outside of the single-user bathrooms in apartments and suites.

Map of UMass Gender-Inclusive Bathrooms