After the homophobic events of the past two weeks, many on campus have discussed creating more safe spaces on campus. But creating safe spaces is not as simple as one might expect. Just look at the controversies surrounding gender-neutral housing.
The administration introduced gender-neutral housing this year after several years of requests. But the current option, which requires meeting with Dean of Student Life Jennifer Krohn in order to qualify, has some arguing that Grinnell's idea of gender-neutral is a form of gender denial.
This year, two students requested and received gender-neutral housing, which is on the south side of Loose Second. But the students simply received singles on the floor, and the only difference between this floor and others were the two specifically gender neutral bathrooms.
Other schools have taken the policy farther. According to Transgender Law and Policy Institute, peer institutions like Oberlin, Colorado College, Swarthmore and Wesleyan offer gender-blind housing in doubles and triples without any application process.
"It's the very conservative side of gender-neutral," said Loosehead RLC Kim Hinds-Brush.
"There are no characteristics of the floor that would distinguish it from any other floor that had voted for gender-neutral bathrooms," said David Logan '09, the floor's SA and news editor of the S&sB.
Logan and others on the floor were not told the floor would be gender neutral, and some did not find out until they arrived. But the other members of the floor seem to be largely allies and supporters.
Students who live on the floor agree that gender neutrality has been positive. "Labels are awkward and bad and make life pretty difficult," said Brian Davis '09, who lives on the floor. "I think that the idea of gender neutral bathrooms and extending it to the rest of the campus nullifies all that anxiety."
"I think it has been really successful and has developed a lot of allies and raised awareness of gender-neutral housing on campus," said Taylor*, one of the students who requested gender-neutral housing.
While two bathrooms were already gender neutral, the floor voted to make the other two gender-neutral as well.
"I think it shows that the students don't need to be on the conservative side of gender-neutral," Hinds-Brush said, discussing the bathroom votes.
Students on the floor are also hoping to see the policy expanded.
"The school did what it could, but I think they had loftier goals which didn't follow through," said Jordan*, the other student who requested gender-neutral housing, and the first person to make that request in the history of the college. "There was a feeling that more focus on education to the general campus would occur."
When this further education did not transpire, a committee was formed to look into the issue. This committee has been working with the administration and wrote student initiatives to raise awareness of gender-neutral housing. The initiatives, which passed two weeks ago, will add gender identity and expression to the college's non discrimination policy and may turn single-stall bathrooms in academic building to gender neutral.
Housing committee has discussed possibilities of further expanding gender-neutral housing. "We've talked about adding another floor or making it all of Loose Second," said Hinds-Brush. Currently the ,committee is discussing other issues, but a decision will be made before room draw.
Students expressed interest in extending gender-neutrality. "I think that it should extend to other parts of campus," said Davis. "I think it's necessary--it makes me feel more comfortable.
As Jordan said, "[we're] trying to make the campus safer in general, which, after what just happened, seems even more important."
*the two students who had requested gender neutral housing wished to remain anonymous in this article, and are quoted using pseudonyms.
