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Making room for asexual folk is more important than awkward representation

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ILLUSTRATION: Maple Sutontasukkul/The Peak

By: Nicole Magas, Opinions Editor

I’m not going to lie: being asexual is like being the weird kid sitting in the back of the queer bus who gives a little too much intense eye contact and has an odd obsession with collecting bugs. We don’t quite fit in on the rainbow, which explains why our flag is predominently greyscale with a little bit of queer purple thrown in there like, “I don’t know, I guess?” 

And don’t get me wrong, it’s great to have a little niche place under the rainbow. But when you make your home within an umbrella identity defined by sexuality, and you yourself have none, occasionally the thought bubbles up: “Do I belong here? And if not here, then where?”

I know on the representation scale ace folk must be a pretty low priority — in no small part, I suspect, because allosexual people (those who experience sexual desire) don’t know what to do with us. Honestly, I don’t know what to do with me half the time, either. Personally, recognition is more important to me than representation. I don’t need to see myself clumsily represented on TV or in movies or books. What I need is to feel like I belong to something. That I have a place and a people.

I’m not going to use this space to comment on ace erasure or exclusion within the LGBTQ2+ community. Although I’m sure it exists out there, it has fortunately not been a part of my experience. My queer friends are some of the most accepting, loving, and generous people I know. I couldn’t ask for a better found-family than this one. So I’m not going to complain. What I’m going to do instead is express how gratifying it is when someone — anyone — actually notices and recognizes us ace folk. Because in a society that feels over-saturated in sex and sexuality, having no sexual attraction makes one start to feel invisible — and no one likes that feeling.

A lack of ace representation in media, specifically, representation that doesn’t border on the pathologic, is rare. How do you represent a lack of something in a casual and organic way? In particular, how do you represent a lack of sexual desire when so many of humanity’s staple plots revolve around the active quest for romance or sexual intimacy? It feels as though there is very little space in the modern media landscape for narratives that don’t make sexual desire a foundation for plots and characters.

I don’t have an easy answer for this. Even having a character casually drop, “Oh, yeah, I’m not attracted to anyone,” opens up the narrative doors to inspect, dissect, and overanalyse such a character as a supreme oddity in a context where sexuality is the norm. This creates the feeling that, even within the LGBTQ2+ community, being asexual is like being the queerest of the queer. 

In the end, I don’t mind listening to my friends talk about their latest Tinder adventure, or dish about a classmate who sits three rows up that they would just die to bump uglies with. I find sex to be a fascinating subject, even if I don’t feel attraction personally. But at the same time, I also get a little thrill of excitement whenever I hear someone mention asexuality positively — when someone remembers that we exist and makes the effort to talk to us as asexuals. 

I know that we don’t often make our voices heard on the queer bus, but know this: whenever anyone mentions asexuality kindly, they are making at least one weird asexual kid out there smile a little more brightly at their bug collection.

 

From dilDOs to dilDON’Ts: a look at Vancouver sex shops

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Features
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Photo credit to Wikimedia Commons

By: Agra Mikel, SFU Student

A lot of fear goes into entering a sex shop, and I would know as a former sex shop virgin. Not once have I desired to venture into the depths of dildos and sex dolls. This week, however, I decided that the only way to combat this fear was to visit not just one, but FIVE stores all around Vancouver. And what better way to celebrate than by broadcasting my experiences to the world? That being said, here is a list of sex shops I’ve compiled from my wild sex shop adventure, ranking them from worst to best.

  1. Happy Paradise Adult Store | Hours: 10 p.m.–11 p.m. | 4713 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC

At the very bottom of my list is Happy Paradise. With a name that seems largely promising, I knew as soon as I walked in that this was NOT it. Right away, I was greeted by the distinct smell of cardboard boxes infused in sweat — a rather unpleasant scent to set the mood. Inside was a long hallway, with all of the items displayed along hooks on walls that were painted in an off-putting green colour. At first glance, it appeared as if the store had a wide range of items. Unfortunately, it might have just been the large stock of identical sex toys on display that gave off this illusion. 

Overall, their selection felt bland and unexciting, offering nothing more than your typical dildos and vibrators. Even their so-called BDSM (an acronym that commonly refers to: bondage and discipline, domination and submission, sadism and masochism) section left me uninspired from the limited mix of pink duct tape and basic ropes — things you could find at any hardware store. While the vintage adult films and playboy magazines were a nice touch, it wasn’t enough to compensate for the all-around basic experience.

  1. Fantasy Factory Adult | Hours: Open 24 hours | 1109 Royal Ave, New Westminster, BC

If you’ve ever taken the SkyTrain and passed by New Westminster, then you’ve definitely seen the brightly-lit neon signs and large placard displaying the words “Fantasy Factory.” As vibrant as it is from the outside, the same could be said inside. From the black-and-white checkered floors to the vivid fluorescent lighting, it’s hard not to spot every item and customer that walks into the shop. While this works well for more of a department store type of setting, I found that it worked to its disadvantage in this kind of atmosphere, especially when most people may prefer some privacy when browsing. As for the selection of products, nothing really stood out to me — at this point, I’d already been accustomed to seeing various sex toys from other stores, and in this one, there was nothing outside of the ordinary. I should note, however, that this store is open for 24 hours, which is an ultimate game changer.

  1. Male & Female Harmony | Hours: 10 p.m.–12 a.m. | 4554 Kingsway, Burnaby, BC

Just a block away from Happy Paradise is Male & Female Harmony, the slightly better option if you’re hoping to stay within the Kingsway area. Easily visible even from across the street, the storefront is painted in a bright yellow and has a neon-lit arrow sign that reads “Adult Store.” Branded as a sex shop inclusive of needs of both men and women, the shop had a wide array of dildos that came in various shapes and sizes, as well as an abundance of vibrators to choose from in different styles and colours. Aside from your traditional sex toys, they also offered inflatable sex dolls and plenty of BDSM-oriented products. I was particularly impressed by their fun bachelorette party items and sex-related card games — a section that I rarely found in the other sex shops. That being said, the only downside to the store was how cluttered and stiff it all felt. There were empty racks that were left in the middle of the store, which felt out of place. Some random cardboard boxes were also dispersed around the space, which made it slightly difficult to move around.

  1. Womyns’ Ware Inc. | Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m. | 896 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC

Now, I’m no avid goer of sex stores, but walking into this shop definitely had me thinking twice. It had an all-around wholesome atmosphere, as they had plants lining their wooden-paneled walls, giving off that cozy cabin vibe. Women-centric magazines and literature also decorated the space, which made for a unique yet visually pleasing aesthetic that I didn’t get from the other shops. As promised, they boasted a large collection of women’s sexual products, from bullet vibrators to remote-controlled sex toys. However, what made it even better was how they also had each product displayed outside of their packages for customers to see how they worked before committing to a final purchase. Overall, I found myself spending the most time in this store simply because it made me feel the most comfortable and relaxed — feelings that I never would have expected to have walking into a sex shop.

  1. Honey Gifts | Hours: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. | 350 Water St, Vancouver, BC

While Womyns’ Ware was a close call to being number one on my list, I’d have to say that Honey Gifts was the farthest from your typical sex shop experience in the best way possible, landing it at the top spot. Located in the heart of Gastown and doubling as a lingerie store, the storefront presents itself more as a cute and lavish little boutique. While other sex shops don’t spend too much time displaying their products with any intention, it was clear that Honey Gifts put extra effort in how they laid theirs out in order to induce a luxurious feel. Their BDSM pieces were enclosed in glass cases, making them look bold and expensive. Their dildos were also carefully propped up onto display tables, pairing them with other lingerie products that matched each item perfectly. From the friendly staff to Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire” playing in the background, Honey Gifts had all the right things going for it to give you the ultimate sexy shopping experience.

Monday Music: The sex(y) playlist™

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Arts
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Photo via The Peak

by Juztin Bello, Copy Editor

A sex playlist is a great way to have some fun and elevate an already passionate moment. Whether your soundtrack is filled with the grooviest R&B, rhythmic alternative jams, or high-intensity bangers to get the heart racing, sex playlists definitely help to generate some magic under the covers. However, not all songs on a sex playlist have to exclusively be used for sex purposes.

So whether you’re getting busy in the bedroom, turning looks as you strut down the hall, or just need something to listen to ‘cause, hey, you’re feeling it today, here are some songs perfect for your sex(y) playlist.

 

“Sativa” — Jhené Aiko ft. Swae Lee

Jhené Aiko starts the first verse with “Is it hot in here or is it just me?” which really sets the tone for this list. Appropriately named after a strain of cannabis, the song has a chill, melodic vibe while maintaining a sensual beat in the background. The combination of Aiko and singer/rapper Swae Lee in this song works well for playing with two-sided seduction. There’s something about this song that makes me feel like I’m on the dance floor of a club looking at a guy across the room, laser lights dancing on the hazy smoke looming overhead, as dancers around seem to move in slow motion. 

 

“Kiss It Better” — Rihanna

Perhaps an artist with numerous songs that fit this category, Rihanna is no stranger to helping listeners feel sultry. While her latest album, ANTI (2016), shows Rihanna’s expertise in the sexy genre especially well, “Kiss It Better” hits the strongest for me. The best part is the electric guitar that comes in the beginning; it really captures the song’s essence entirely. While I’m not trying to say the only time I feel myself is when I’m out on the town, this song definitely screams “I’m walking through a crowded club (in slow motion), and all eyes are on me.” I could say more about this song’s sex appeal, but I’ll leave on one note: Rihanna, where’s the damn new album?    

 

“break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored” — Ariana Grande

While I’m not a huge supporter of splitting up a relationship out of boredom, I can’t deny that this track by Ariana Grande makes me feel like That Bitch™. The song radiates such strong bad bitch energy, and I have to commend Ariana for re-introducing this flirtatious attitude reminiscent of her “Dangerous Woman” persona. Because of the song’s theme, it definitely makes me feel like I’m doing something I’m not supposed to, which is kind of hot, in a sense. Particularly, I think the song’s slow, yet sexy tempo — which brings it away from Ariana’s typical pop-sound to a more R&B-sound — reinforce the sultriness of it. Fun fact: the bridge is an interpolation of NSYNC’s “It Makes Me Ill,” and what could be sexier than a classic frosted-tipped 90s boyb

I’ve compiled a list of the sexiest board games that no one asked for

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Photo: Amazon
Photo: Amazon

by Marco Ovies, Arts Editor

While they may seem a bit childish, board games can be a good time. And I’m not talking about your old game of Scrabble collecting dust in your closet. I am talking about some good, rated 18+ kind of board games. They are a great way for you and your special someone to have a good time and connect on a deeper level. So if you’re looking to spice things up in the bedroom, you should give some of these board games a try. 

 

Adult Loaded Questions: $25 on Amazon

Photo: Amazon
Photo: Amazon

This game is a lot like Cards Against Humanity — except like, way sexier. Basically, someone asks a question (i.e. What would you NOT want to find in your partner’s bedside drawer?) and everyone writes down their answer. The person asking then reads out all the options, chooses their favourite, and then tries to figure out whose answer it is. Loaded Questions is meant to be played with two to three couples and is a great way to not only get to know your partner, but also your close friends. But make sure you play with people you’re comfortable with — otherwise things will get real awkward real fast.

 

Talk Flirt Dare: $26 on Amazon

Photo: Amazon
Photo: Amazon

The game is simple to understand, but the cards can get pretty outrageous. There are three different categories of cards: talk, flirt, and dare. All you do is answer the question on the card or complete the task it gives you. While the “talk” cards are safe to play with a group of people, I would suggest leaving the flirt and dare cards for some alone time since things can get pretty saucy (unless that’s your thing, I’m not here to judge). Expect to be asked questions like “If you and your partner were to quit your jobs and move to anywhere in the world, where would your partner want to go?” in the talk section and “Tell your partner what you want to do to them later tonight with a fake accent” in the dare section. 

 

Settlers of Catan: $43 on Amazon

Photo: Amazon
Photo: Amazon

Okay, so I know what you’re thinking, Settlers of Catan can’t be sexy. It really is though — just trust me. The goal is to settle the land of Catan by building settlements and cities, which might sound boring. But trust me, the exhilaration of placing a settlement on the board is unmatched to anything I’ve ever felt in the bedroom. You can even trade your partner some wood if you catch my drift. To add some spice to this game, you can try playing with strip rules. Every time your opponent builds a settlement, you have to strip. This game does have small pieces though, so keep that in mind before you get something stuck where it shouldn’t be.

 

Truth or Dare for Couples: $8 on Amazon

Photo: Amazon

This one doesn’t need a lot of explanation. It comes with cards that either have some naughty questions to ask your partner or some scandalous dares. It’s really a great way to get to know your partner a little bit better. It will also get things hot and heavy much faster than these other options. So if efficiency is your thing, this might be the game for you.

SFU textbooks shouldn’t be inaccurate about sex, sexuality, and gender

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The misconceptions in this textbook were debunked in high school health class. Screenshot: Gabrielle McLaren/The Peak

By: Gabrielle McLaren, Editor-in-Chief

I know that waiting until your last year to hit your Q/B-Sci requirements is the ultimate Arts-student crime, but I paid for it dearly by ending up in BPK140 C200: Contemporary Health Issues. I thought this online class would be easier to balance with my two summer jobs and relate to topics I cared about. I was wrong.

Every week the assigned reading, from a textbook written specifically for the class by professor Stephen Brown (an SFU alum), and published by SFU Publications, had me gawking in disbelief. For the purpose of this piece, let’s just look at some things that made me cringe from the chapters about sex, sexual health, and intimacy. 

  1. On page 262, the textbook claims that the diaphragm protects against sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs). This is something that a quick confirmation check in an all-uterus-bearer group chat and a trip to Planned Parenthood’s website confirmed as incorrect.
  2. A list of “Variations in Sexual Behaviour” that starts on page 219 lumps together rape, sex with children, masturbation, oral sex, anal intercourse, and homosexuality. I had to take a break when I saw this. Brown acknowledges that homosexuality used to be legally persecuted, but doesn’t see the problem with listing queerness alongside “rape” and “sex with children”? Not differentiating between healthy sex and criminal sexual behaviour, especially when a marganialized community is thrown in the mix, is tone deaf, foolish, and unacceptable. 
  3. While I’m at it, Brown has no business discussing the biological determinism of queer desire and linking “low blood levels of testosterone and other male hormones” to gay men’s development. Studies looking for a “gay gene” have faced significant criticism as early as 1995, and the politics surrounding them are too crucial to ommit. Plus, at surface level, why would you just drop in a textbook that gay men are gay because they’re less manly than other men? Come on. Think of the top five existing prejudices against gay men and tell me why you’re reinforcing this without providing appropriate context.
  4. As you can probably tell, the book was the most cisheteronormative thing I’ve seen since Catholic school. The in-depth discussion of the mechanics of penis-vagina sex has no queer equivalent. Asexuality is never addressed as a normal, healthy sexuality. Even language such as “female condom” instead of the inclusive (and frankly more accurate) “internal condom” constantly flags to students whose sexuality is cared about most.
  5. Pages 263 to 265 are dedicated to showing how to respond to a partner who doesn’t want to use protection. The catch? The person giving excuses was always “Your Boyfriend,” implying the “You” to be a woman. The implication here is that safer sex is a heterosexual affair and a woman’s responsibility, especially since the text finishes with: “If your partner refuses to wear a latex condom, you use a female condom. Some men have said that sensation is not so reduced with a female condom.” 

This isn’t a comprehensive list. We literally don’t have space and I’m not strong enough to relive that class. I haven’t even touched on how uncomfortable I was with the chapters on mental health or substance use. Additionally, someone from the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies department should have helped write the chapters about pornography, sex work, and abortion.

I understand this class is designed as a survey, but that simply can’t be an excuse for presenting simplistic, incomplete, or dated information to a university-level class. This class is the poster child for all those pesky claims that science can’t function without its social equivalent. I was anxious about having to repeat some of this content on an exam, for my GPA’s sake, knowing that it was wrong, incomplete, or problematic. As a queer woman with strong politics and outside knowledge, I worried about the first years who would trustingly internalize this class’ implicit messages. 

I have no idea who oversees the content, tone, and quality of online classes and how or why they possibly let this happen. All evidence points to this class being spat out, packaged, and distributed to students for $192.03 a credit without a second thought.  This class wasn’t boring or difficult — it was inaccurate and disrespectful. It needs to be pulled from course offerings and reworked; right now, it reflects poorly on CODE, BPK, and SFU as a whole. 

 

Competitive worm charming: captivating, yet cruel

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Sports
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A contestant tends to a patch of ground with the hope that it is riddled with worms. — Photo: Dollar Shave Club.

By: Madeleine Chan, Staff Writer

Yes, I was also surprised that this is an actual thing that people choose to do with their free time. But who am I to judge? I’m spending thousands of dollars and years of my life to get a piece of paper that probably won’t matter to me or my economic well-being after I graduate. 

Originating in England, worm charming, also known as worm grunting and worm fiddling is, quite simply, a sport that revolves around getting worms out of the ground. Participants use various tools, such as metal stakes, pitchforks, or even brass instruments like a trumpet to get as many worms out of the ground as they can in a given period of time. The dominant strategy in worm charming is based on the idea that, if you stick one of these main tools into a grassy patch and hit it with another blunt object to create vibrations in the ground, worms will wriggle to the top. Aided by this sonic intrusion into the worm community’s loam-based habitat, participants aim to secure victory by collecting more worms than the other competitors. 

The sport started as a quick way to gather worms for fishing bait. Then, in 1980, the first organized competition, called the World Worm Charming Championships (WWCC), was held in a small village in England called Willaston. Ever since, there has been a World Worm Charming Championship organized every year. Notably, a 10-year-old girl that obtained 567 worms holds the record for the most worms charmed in one hour. In addition to the annual WWCC, there have been national worm charming championships held in other places around the globe, including one in Canada in 2010.

However, when I thought further about this seemingly wacky and fun sport, I began to comprehend its dark underbelly. Not to be all “animal rights” but . . . (and I can’t believe I’m about to write this), what about the worms? Imagine being plucked out of your home and haphazardly dropped into an uncomfortable container with a medley of other people, only to be promptly dumped back onto the ground in some other random place. You would be shaken, possibly traumatized. I know I would. 

Based on this, I’m not that surprised this sport started in England, given their extensive history of global imperialism and displacement of other nations and cultures. 

Despite these important critiques, this bizzare sport is still very interesting and endearing to take in. After watching a few videos of various competitions, they seem like great family events where kids can have fun with their families and interact with nature. Also, seeing someone play a tuba into the ground in an attempt to get worms from it doesn’t not make me laugh.

Overall, this strange sport is just that. Strange. Take a walk into your backyard, over to your local park, or even to a grassy patch on campus and give it a try. Maybe your efforts will provide the spark that starts a competitive worm charming team at SFU. Maybe it will even start a new trend in the post-secondary sports scene that sees schools duke it out for the chance to fly to England to battle the best of the English worm-charming families. Or maybe, if you want to spare the poor worms further trauma, just binge watch some laugh-inducing YouTube videos of it. I know I will.

Menstruators just wanna have fun, even during that time of the month

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Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. Illustration: Marissa Ouyang/The Peak

By: Agra Mikel, SFU Student

Saying the words “period sex” is like opening up Pandora’s box. It’s bad enough having a woman openly talk about a healthy and normal bodily function — throw the desire for sexual pleasure into the mix and it’s like an invitation for the world to go berserk. But what really is the big deal when it comes to period sex? We shouldn’t be perpetuating stigmas surrounding women who bleed, especially when sex during a period actually has some benefits.

Studies on the health of menstruating women show that having sex during periods can help relieve menstrual cramps and headaches. It could also cause them to have shorter periods. This is the ultimate bonus considering periods can be painful and unavoidable for many women. Why not flip a difficult, inescapable time of the month on its head and make it something pleasurable? 

Of course, these advantages are not exclusive to the biological female body. For all parties, having period sex can actually increase the overall sexual experience. Menses acting as a natural lubricant can make for a rather smooth and easy-going session. At the same time, most biological women’s sex drives reach an ultimate high at this time, intensifying the crave and energy to really get it on. 

So if period sex is safe and may even have some added benefits, why is it that people are still so quick to dismiss it?

The problem boils down to how periods have historically been framed as wrong — and therefore shameful — in nature. Stigma over period blood is ingrained in our history, from the Ancient Romans who thought that women who menstruate were actually dark witches, to the French who believed that monster babies would be born out of those who consummate while on their period. 

While these ludicrous myths may long be forgotten (or at least, I’d hope so), notions of shame and embarrassment surrounding menses continue to linger to the present day. Further complicating the open enjoyment of period sex is the fact that women are also reprimanded for openly expressing their desire for sexual pleasure. While men are free to do so — and are sometimes even praised for it — women instead experience backlash for asserting such a natural bodily instinct, and are deemed as lewd and unladylike. 

Perhaps the true biggest downside to period sex is how messy it can get — easily leaving a bedroom looking like a bloody crime scene. Even I — as an advocate for this forbidden act — would not want that. However, there are plenty of ways to get around this issue. Placing a towel onto the bed is a small price to pay for the amount of bloody pleasure that can be had between partners. And if that’s not sanitary enough, shower sex is also an option — just clean yourself up as you go.

The second most common argument against period sex after “it’s messy” is usually that it’s “unsafe.” This is a complete misconception. But don’t just take my word for it; Healthline confirms that there is actually nothing wrong with getting it on during this period of time (pun intended). 

Of course, period sex is not for everyone. If someone generally gets squeamish from seeing blood, then by all means, they should stay away from this activity. However, shaming women for wanting to exercise their right to sexual pleasure — at any time of the month — is inexcusable. At the end of the day, period sex is completely healthy and normal, just like any other form of consenting sexual expression.

 

Trial week: Exploring SFU Recreation’s dance offerings

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Dancing nurtures the mind, body, and spirit. — Photo: SFU Recreation

By: Lubaba Mahmud, Staff Writer

SFU Recreation’s Trial Week allows students to try any program offered by SFU Recreation free of charge. This allows students, staff, and community members to try new ways to get active, meet new friends, and have fun. As someone who struggles with exercising everyday, Trial Week seemed like the perfect opportunity to try out new forms of dance and get a fun workout in. 

The first class I tried was the Bollywood/Latin Fusion dance class. The instructor, Hasini, started the class by giving us a brief overview of the history and style of Latin and Bollywood dance. Hasini emphasized that this class would mostly focus on simple, fun, and vibrant Bollywood dance routines. Since she made sure that the choreography was easy to follow for everyone, we all caught on and got in the groove quite quickly. Even though the class was essentially an hour-long dance party, it was not vigorously exhausting because Hasini included a lot of simple yet up-beat dance moves. This was great for beginners still building up their stamina. 

For those that are interested, the Bollywood/Latin Fusion class takes place in the Fitness Studio on Burnaby campus on Tuesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The semesterly registration fee for this class is approximately $60.

Belly Dance was the other class I tried. Sofia, our instructor, introduced us to a class that would focus on a modern fusion version of this Middle Eastern style of dance. Throughout the class, Sofia explained to students which of the rhythms were Turkish, Egyptian, Lebanse, and so on. Sofia also expressed to us that she strives to create a welcoming atmosphere in the class and that there is no single proper way of belly dancing. Instead, participants are encouraged to find their own style within the genre. The strength of Sofia’s teaching style was her ability to provide very clear instructions while introducing us to such a wide range of unique dance moves. 

On the day I attended, participants were also given pieces of colourful fabric to use as part of one of the dance routines. The description of Belly Dance on the SFU Recreation website notes that participants will experience a class that “emphasizes rhythmic expression, while strengthening the core and improving flexibility” by having students perform “basic shimmies, undulations and figure eights.” So, while belly dancing is definitely a fun way to get some exercise and learn about Middle Eastern culture, it also requires more energy than the other forms of dance I tried during Trial Week. Having said that, Sofia is a very helpful instructor that is able to adjust the intensity of the class according to the stamina level of the students that are present on a given day.  

If you want to give it a shot, the Belly Dance class takes place in the Fitness Studio at Burnaby campus on Tuesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The semesterly registration fee for this class is, like the Bollywood/Latin Fusion class, approximately $60.

Gendered washrooms are redundant for our needs

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There’s is no reason for washrooms to not be gender neutral. Photo: Izaz Zubayer/The Peak

By: Madeleine Chan, Staff Writer

Imagine this: you’re walking in the AQ after a long, boring class. Suddenly, you’re hit with the urge to relieve yourself. You scan your surroundings, desperately hoping to spot one of those little square signs with a tiny person on it, indicating your renal freedom. You finally catch sight of one, but it’s designated for a different gender. You curse the gender-binary and its restrictions on your bladder before waddling off to find the toilet symbol that best fits your unique body.

Situations like these emphasize the need to abolish gendered washrooms, especially when gender does not play a factor in one’s ability to use toilet facilities. Gender, to be clear, is the set of attributes associated with one’s appearance that are expressed socially and culturally — through clothing for example. In contrast, sex is defined by biological charactersitics. Neither sex nor gender have clear-cut binary definitions, and both male and female washrooms currently have toilet stalls which can accommodate a range of genitalia. So why do we have separate rooms for peeing?

There are so many advantages to having non-gendered washrooms over gender-divided ones. It would be wholly inclusive of transgender and non-binary people. People who don’t fit into traditional social categories should have the right to pee without fear of dysphoria, ridicule, or the pressure to decide which of two categories they best fit into on any given day. It would also dispel the stigma around gendered washrooms and their intended users. 

Students would also not have to pause their hallway gossip sessions, because their differently-gendered friends would be able to go into the washroom with them. In addition, cleaning staff would be able to shut down entire washrooms to clean while leaving another one open nearby and free for all students to find relief. 

The popular argument against gender-neutral washrooms is that men would be able to spy on or otherwise victimize women more easily if the binary isn’t strictly enforced. And while creepy behaviour is a valid concern, what’s to stop people of any gender presentation from doing that now? It’s not like there’s a physical barrier that stops men from entering women’s washrooms. This argument only serves to hold up gendered barriers and perceptions of false difference.

To those who may still be really skeptical about this idea, imagine having two times the places to do a #2; two times the number of stalls during after-class rushes; two times the accessible stalls for the people who actually need them. Best of all, no out-the-door lineups for the women’s washroom.

SFU currently has a few gender-neutral washrooms scattered around the Burnaby and Vancouver campuses, but they’re tucked away in hidden hallways and only known by word-of-mouth or accidental discovery. It’s time to expand our gender-neutral washroom options at SFU and beyond. There are people everywhere who just need to pee. We shouldn’t let dated social systems police our right to relive ourselves in a comfortable and category-free environment. When nature calls, a gender-neutral washroom should be the answer.

 

Peak Speaks Podcast – Hot Takes, Unpopular Opinions, and Lowkey Confessions

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Listen here: https://pod.link/1464226637

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us:
[email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024