To the editors:

I am writing to lend my voice to the chorus of those who oppose the views expressed by The Crimson editorial board in the recent editorial “Rethinking Privacy,” published on Feb. 11. The issue concerns the Cambridge City Council’s resolution that the City Manager appoint appropriate city staff, including the City Solicitor, to work with the Cambridge GLBT Commission to create a city-wide ordinance on gender-neutral restrooms.

Evidence abounds that as a group, transgender people and others who are gender non-conforming have suffered rampant discrimination in public accommodations such as public restrooms. In the results of a recently released study of more than 6,000 transgender individuals, the National Center for Transgender Equality reported that 63 percent of respondents had experienced a “serious act of discrimination that would have a major impact on a person’s quality of life.” Cambridge’s visionary efforts to counteract this very real form of anti-transgender discrimination are thus truly laudable.

Contrary to the editorial’s position, there is no evidence that allocation of gender neutral restrooms results in an increased risk of sexual violence for women. The Harvard College Women’s Center affirms the right of all to access safe restrooms, and as a gender-inclusive center, we encourage all members of our community to bring us any concerns or ideas they have about this or any other gender issue.

SUSAN MARINE

Cambridge, Mass.

Feb. 13, 2011

To the editors:

It might be helpful to define “gender-neutral bathroom,” before concluding that “gender-neutral bathrooms would most likely create more issues than [they solve].” A gender-neutral bathroom, simply, is a single-stall bathroom that’s open to individuals of any gender.

I fail to understand how a modest smattering of such single-stall bathrooms across campus increases the risk of sexual harassment or sexual assault, or even the perception of increased risk. By this logic, Harvard should convert existing single-stall bathrooms into janitor closets. Do you advocate that, too?

In support of your opinion, you cite, without contrary evidence, language from the Massachusetts Family Institute, an organization which also believes as a core principle that “all sex outside of heterosexual marriage is detrimental to families and that includes homosexuality.” Do you advocate that, too?

You do seem to recognize how important it is for transgender students to feel comfortable in their own spaces. After all, you recognize that transgender students can live in rooms with en suite bathrooms. Surely they can return to their dorm rooms every time that they feel the urge. Do you advocate that, too?

There are not many students on campus who are gender non-conforming; this much is true. But for those few, a few thoughtfully located single-stall bathrooms significantly add to one’s personal comfort and safety.

MATTHEW S. MEISEL ’07

Somerville, Mass