In what can be considered to be the first step towards more such inclusive initiatives, Lucknow has gotten its first transgender toilet built exclusively for the community. On the occasion of International Toilet Day, a separate toilet has been built at the General Post Office in the city.
There have been a series of instances when the people of the community have complained about being stopped from using public toilets. The move has been implemented so that the trans people feel secure, are not marginalised at stigmatised mens’ or women’s washrooms by either gender, and do not feel unwelcome at public washrooms.
The concept of building trans toilets
Up until now, orders to construct pink toilets have been passed time and again to create a better and safer environment for women and many have come up in the city, too. However, this will be the first venture for the transgenders in Lucknow.
If you consider this particular initiative, of building trans toilets, in the country, we’re still warming up to the concept. In April this year, Maharashtra saw its first transgender toilet in Mumbai’s Goregaon. Uttar Pradesh’s first toilet of such kind was built in Varanasi last year.
Even though steps like these can, perhaps, bridge the gap between genders ever so slightly, it is the concept of gender neutrality in unisex toilets that will take a longer time to sit well with the general public. Along with this, LGBTQ+ friendly initiatives are also hoped for in the future.
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