Restroom Equity Pledge
Competitions are a critical part of the FIRST Robotics experience, letting students test their skills and gather with like-minded individuals. As leaders in the FIRST community, we have a duty to ensure equitable access to these learning opportunities.
For trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals, public restrooms can be intimidating or even dangerous. It is common for trans folks to go long periods of time without eating or drinking to try and avoid having to use public restrooms. With competition days that can stretch as long as 12+ hours, proper hydration and nutrition is essential to providing safe competition experiences for our participants, volunteers, and spectators.
This experience is not unique to LGBTQ+ individuals. Multi-stall public restrooms can also create intense anxiety for individuals with physical disabilities, mental health issues, or previous history of trauma. There are enough things to worry about during the course of competition, finding a safe place to use the bathroom shouldn’t be one of them.
As an event director/coordinator or host team, you have the power to make gender-neutral restrooms accessible at your events. Accessible means unlocked, stocked with necessary supplies, and within reasonable proximity to competition areas. This may require converting staff bathrooms or locker rooms for the duration of the event, creating additional signage, or updating event communications.
Competitions are a critical part of the FIRST Robotics experience, letting students test their skills and gather with like-minded individuals. As leaders in the FIRST community, we have a duty to ensure equitable access to these learning opportunities.
For trans, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals, public restrooms can be intimidating or even dangerous. It is common for trans folks to go long periods of time without eating or drinking to try and avoid having to use public restrooms. With competition days that can stretch as long as 12+ hours, proper hydration and nutrition is essential to providing safe competition experiences for our participants, volunteers, and spectators.
This experience is not unique to LGBTQ+ individuals. Multi-stall public restrooms can also create intense anxiety for individuals with physical disabilities, mental health issues, or previous history of trauma. There are enough things to worry about during the course of competition, finding a safe place to use the bathroom shouldn’t be one of them.
As an event director/coordinator or host team, you have the power to make gender-neutral restrooms accessible at your events. Accessible means unlocked, stocked with necessary supplies, and within reasonable proximity to competition areas. This may require converting staff bathrooms or locker rooms for the duration of the event, creating additional signage, or updating event communications.
Temporarily Converting Gendered Bathrooms for an Event
FIRST Events take place at a wide variety of venue-types, meaning that there’s no One-Size-Fits-All solution. It may take additional planning or communication with facility supervisors to ensure accessible restrooms.
FIRST Events take place at a wide variety of venue-types, meaning that there’s no One-Size-Fits-All solution. It may take additional planning or communication with facility supervisors to ensure accessible restrooms.
- The most efficient way to create gender-inclusive restrooms is to convert existing single-occupancy restrooms. In schools, these are most commonly staff restrooms. To convert a single-stall restroom, add a Gender Neutral or All-Gender sign to the door, place a receptacle for menstrual hygiene products, and update venue maps and information.
- If gender-inclusive facilities are more than a five minute walk from typical event spaces (pits, cafeteria, field, etc.), additional signage may be required.
- If gender-inclusive facilities are more than a five minute walk from typical event spaces (pits, cafeteria, field, etc.), additional signage may be required.
- In venues where single-occupancy restrooms may not be available, you can temporarily convert a multi-stall restroom for the duration of the event. To convert a multi-stall restroom, add an All-Gender Sign to the door, place receptacles in each stall for menstrual hygiene products, and update venue maps and information.
- If bathrooms are paired (i.e. a mens and women’s restroom next to each other) both should be designated all-gender whenever possible
- Depending on the size of the venue, at a minimum, there should be one accessible all-gender multi-stall bathroom per floor. High traffic, centrally-located areas are ideal for both accessibility and safety reasons
- Generally, for every four sets of restrooms available, one set should be designated as gender neutral.
- Urinals are often a point of concern when converting bathrooms. To accommodate this, signage should either designate whether a restroom has urinals & stalls or just stalls. Alternatively, urinals can be taped off for the event.
- In the rare scenario where existing facilities cannot be adapted, restroom trailer rentals are an option for smaller venues.
- This should be an absolute last resort, as they are not typically fully accessible.
- This should be an absolute last resort, as they are not typically fully accessible.
Important Considerations
The privacy and comfort of all participants should be prioritized when making strategic accommodations. While some schools, convention centers, and event spaces are successfully transitioning towards solely gender neutral facilities, these spaces are intentionally designed and typically feature stalls with floor-to-ceiling doors and shared sink space. The Rainbow STEM Alliance would advise against converting ALL available restrooms to gender-neutral facilities unless they match this design criteria.
- Local, state, or federal law may influence which strategies are feasible for your event space. Ensure that whatever strategies you decide to pursue are compliant with all applicable governing bodies.
- When possible, signage should be laminated and securely adhered to prevent tampering. Use of attached materials is recommended.
The privacy and comfort of all participants should be prioritized when making strategic accommodations. While some schools, convention centers, and event spaces are successfully transitioning towards solely gender neutral facilities, these spaces are intentionally designed and typically feature stalls with floor-to-ceiling doors and shared sink space. The Rainbow STEM Alliance would advise against converting ALL available restrooms to gender-neutral facilities unless they match this design criteria.
