Chicago public schools bathrooms now open ‘to anyone who feels comfortable in that space’

According to AXIOS Chicago, Chicago Public School bathrooms acquired signage last week to make them “gender neutral” – that is, students are now allowed to use facilities that align with “their gender identity and comfort.”

That is regardless of other students’ “gender identity and comfort.”

That is, under a policy the district announced last month, if you would like to do your business without a member of the opposite sex next door and possibly watching over you, your desire for and right to privacy is unimportant.

Under the the Chicago schools’ attempt to comply with U.S. Department of Education Title IX protections against “discrimination,” all bathrooms must now have signage indicating they are “open for use to anyone who feels comfortable in that space,” CPS spokesperson Mary Fergus told Axios in a statement.

“Single use restrooms are also available for anyone who prefers that level of privacy,” she said.

Axios recorded a range of reactions from area students and parents that ranged from happiness to cautious optimism to discomfort and outright fear.

CPS says they are accepting feedback on the policy at osp@cps.edu.as of last week to allow students to use facilities that align with “their gender identity and comfort.”