Boys' school builds unisex toilets for future transgender students
A top boys' school in New Zealand has built a new unisex toilet block to cater for any transgender students that may enrol in the future.
Auckland Grammar School headmaster Tim O'Connor told radio station Newstalk ZB that the decision was the result of realising male students wanted more privacy in public toilets, which led to a discussion about gender diversity.
"The reality [is] that at some point in the future we will have students who identify themselves as transgender or in the LGBT community," he said.
The school is endeavouring to be awarded the "Rainbow Tick" - an accreditation which means an organisation welcomes sexual and gender diversity.
Mr O'Connor said there were no students currently enrolled that identified as transgender but he wanted the school to be prepared.
"We've thought about it, and for boys' schools it's a big topic being discussed around the world," he said.
"In other countries they're much more advanced in being prepared."
"We've realised we've been a little bit naive, and that we need to prepare so it's not a shock."
Mr O'Connor said that students at his school were beginning to understand the damage that homophobia can do.
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"The key is to name it and have conversations with the boys," he said.
"The use of 'gay' as a colloquial phrase is present in our society, particularly amongst young people.
"When you name it and say you could actually be offending someone else - our boys have understood that, and we're seeing a positive reaction to it."
