I came across this article talking about the new gender neutral locker room (added to the already existing gender neutral living corders, bathroom, and showers) at Iowa's Grinnell College. This being a topic we've discussed a bit in class, it was interesting to read the article and see this move in a more historical context. It mentions how it was a big deal when colleges and universities started to offer coed dorms in the 1970s (so much so that it made the cover of Life magazine) and how it was also a big deal when living corders mixed different races together. I think it's hard for us as a society, sometimes, to see what is happening in the world around us as historical moments. I mean, creating a space that allows for people who don't identify with one particular gender to reside? That's unfathomable to most people in this generation, let alone generations past! What was also an interesting note was that most of the colleges that are incorporating gender neutral dorms are private colleges, making me wonder how the process will be different for that of a public school, and if the process would take longer, years maybe. It does make me a bit confused though. Even if someone doesn't identify with a particular gender, they still have to choose, at one time or another, in order to use the services that are provided in a school, for example. So one who is transitioning, would they only stay in the gender neutral area until they have fully transitioned? If someone is straight and is comfortable with their own gender, do they have the option of staying there as well? I wonder what historians will say about this in future time. I also wonder how generations are going to further push the boundaries when it seems that all boundaries are already being pushed.
Here's the link to the article:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-11-09/gender-neutral-college/51134546/1
Here's the 1970 Life Magazine cover (image #45):
http://www.life.com/gallery/64751/1970-life-covers#index/44
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