As the fight over the right to use bathrooms according to gender identity have raged in legislatures from Florida to Texas, the University announced that “All Gender” campus restroom signs will be available in the Facilities and Services sign shop.

The Chancellor and Provost Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns announced the signs on Thursday, explaining that the signs aim to identify already available single-use, locking-capable restroom facilities in campus, such as family or wheelchair accessible restrooms.

All gender restroom signs have already been placed in several campus buildings, including the Illini Union and Clark Hall.

According to a press release from the committee, “The Chancellor’s and Provost Committee on LGBTQ Concerns officially recommends the usage of this sign for all applicable restrooms.”

University Housing has already taken steps to introduce gender inclusive facilities, as Allen One North introduced gender neutral restrooms in Fall 2015. In addition, Allen Residence Hall plans to introduce gender-inclusive housing to students in fall 2016.JT

The University’s restroom redesignation follows in the footsteps of other Illinois colleges, as Illinois State University converted their campus family restrooms to all gender signage in 2014.JT

In recent years, several state legislatures have attempted to pass “bathroom bills” or legislation introducing penalties for people who use restrooms that does not match the gender on their birth certificate – regardless of gender identity.

Although the Obama administration announced that transgender people are protected from certain discriminatory practices by the Civil Rights Act, the fight over what constitutes as discrimination continues in schools across the nation and in Illinois in particular.

Township High School District 211 in Palatine announced last month that the district would allow a transgender student to use the locker room consistent with their gender identity after a months-long legal battle.JT

After a student filed a Title IX complaint against the district, federal authorities ruled that the district violated federal anti-discrimination laws in November.JT?

[email protected]