Temporary designation of Suntec toilets as 'gender-neutral' sparks hostile online reaction; others see move as positive

SINGAPORE — A photograph posted online of a set of toilets designated as "gender neutral" at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre has provoked some hostile reactions, including comments that Singapore was becoming "woke". 

"Woke" is a term that started off as a positive way to describe some evolving social attitudes and practices, but is now generally used as a negative term by opponents of some changes.

The discussion on the internet was triggered on Wednesday (Aug 16) by the posting of the photograph online. It has since been widely shared.

In response to TODAY's queries, a representative from Suntec's building management said that one set of toilets has been temporarily designated in this manner for Wikimania 2023, at the request of the organisers for the duration of the event.

The event started on Wednesday and will run until Saturday.

Wikimania 2023 is an annual conference associated with the Wikimedia Foundation, an American non-profit body best known for the online resource Wikipedia. 

The organisation advocates an inclusive approach to some minority groups in society.

On the event website, it is stated that besides modifications to the toilets, other inclusive measures include making the room scent-free for individuals with sensitivities or allergies to scents, designated staff members and volunteers to help participants, and a quiet room that is made available to anyone who may need it.

TODAY visited Suntec's convention centre on Wednesday and found that the gender-neutral toilets are in a converted female restroom with 11 cubicles, located on the third floor.

The question of gender-neutral toilets has been a hot-button issue around the world, although it is now relatively common in some countries to find individual toilets marked with both a female and male symbol that are available to anyone.

Often, these individual toilets are not contained within a room housing a set of toilets but are accessed directly from outside.

REACTIONS ONLINE

The photograph of the gender-neutral toilets in Suntec's convention centre was posted on the HardwareZone online forum.

On the discussion thread, a user going by the name of"dushensiao" commented: “... Suntec going woke, gg (good game) for share price soon.”

Another user named "Uncle Lorger" wrote: “Wah, really in Suntec? Wonder if those perverts will go in.”

Yet another a user named "focus1974" commented: “There're only two genders, male and female. There is no in-between.”

Some online users also wondered whether the washrooms were set aside instead of handicapped toilets, saying, “Wheelchaired people share with woke people? Is it one cubicle by itself?”

In addressing that concern, the Suntec building management said that the number of toilets available for disabled persons is unaffected. 

The Facebook group titled "We are against Pinkdot in Singapore" responded to the photograph by calling for a boycott of Suntec City.

One Facebook user by the name of "Siti Hannah" wrote: “Apparently it is true. Are there any petitions for us to vote to take this down? Why is Singapore doing this? I fear for my children's future.”

Another user going by the name "Nadia Natasha Rasid" wrote: “This is just the beginning. Shocking that this minority can be so pervasive in getting their agenda adhered to.”

COMMENTS FROM PASSERS-BY 

On Wednesday when TODAY visited the toilets, it asked some passers-by about their opinions of the move.

Mr Koh Ming Sheng, 22, a Nanyang Technological University student said: “It’s inclusive and it’s a good step.” However, he voiced concerns about the safety of having a restroom that openly serves all genders. 

“I don’t know if it’s safe," he said, adding that it might attract sex-related crime activity such as the installation of hidden cameras to spy on users. 

PinkDot SG, an advocacy group for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and others (LGBTQ+) community, clarified the misperception that gender-neutral toilets were more likely to cause sex-related crime.

“Multiple studies have shown that there is no increased risk of sex crimes in gender-neutral toilets. That being said, it is important to take steps to prevent harassment of any kind from happening in restrooms, including gender-neutral toilets,” it added.

“This may include providing adequate security and training staff on how to handle reports of sexual misconduct or gender-based harassment or violence.”

Given the choice between male or gender-neutral toilets, Mr Koh said that he would stick to male toilets. “I don’t mind using it if there’s one and if it’s urgent, (but) I'd rather let those who need it use it.”

For Mr Alex Ong, 37, this is the quality engineer’s first time seeing a gender-neutral toilet. He agreed that this was “a good step” and, in a practical sense, saves space when building toilets.   

WHAT THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY SAYS

PinkDot SG said that gender-neutral toilets help to provide a safe space for those who need it.

“LGBTQ+ people, particularly gender non-conforming individuals, may be subjected to verbal abuse, physical assault or other forms of discrimination in traditional gender-segregated toilets.

“A gender-neutral toilet signals that everyone is welcome to use the space and protects the safety and dignity of gender non-conforming individuals.””

PinkDot SG also said that any fears that this trend would mean an end to traditional male and female toilets were unfounded.

“We understand that this is a particularly sensitive issue. Phasing out traditional washrooms shouldn't be the goal here and is probably not entirely practical in the near term.

“What we should be asking is: How can we ensure everyone has access to a comfortable, safe and inclusive environment for something as fundamental as using the bathroom.”

Rather than having only one type of restroom, Pink Dot SG stated that having the option and availability of both gender-neutral and gender-segregated toilets is the goal.

“This would allow people to choose the restroom that is the safest and most comfortable for them.” 

Mr Leow Yangfa, executive director of non-profit group Oogachaga, said having a gender-neutral toilet ensures a safe space for those whose gender expression does not align with what society thinks a man or woman should typically appear as.

For example, this can be a man with long hair and makeup, or a woman with short hair and wearing gender-neutral clothing, said Mr Leow.

“This may or may not have to do with their sexual orientation (being LGB), but it’s more about how others assume their gender based on how they look (gender expression).

Mr Leow said it might be helpful to reframe the perspective that gender-neutral toilets are only "important" to members of the LGBTQ community. Gender-neutral toilets are useful to people outside the LGBTQ community as well, added Mr Leow.

Gender-neutral toilets can be used by many groups of people, including trans and gender-diverse people, the elderly, parents with young children, wheelchair users and other people with disabilities.

“This is to avoid the popular misconception that 'LGBTQ+ people are looking for special treatment'. We are not. It is an issue of accessing public facilities in order to fulfil a basic bodily function,” he said. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY LORAINE LEE