GENDER-neutral toilets could soon be introduced at the University of Hull, because of the growing population of transgender students.
The Hull University Union (HUU) has backed a motion by the university's lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) group to have gender-neutral toilets at the university's Wilberforce and Student Union buildings.
A HUU spokesman said: "The university has a growing population of trans students, with those who identify as transgender, non-binary or are inter-sex.
"Some students would be more comfortable using gender-neutral toilets.
"However, these don't exist in the Wilberforce or the union building, forcing them to travel to other places."
A number of universities across the country, including Bradford, Bath, Staffordshire and Manchester, already have gender-neutral toilets.
The HUU spokesman said: "As the Wilberforce building is one of the most used buildings on campus, HUU has an obligation to make sure this building is one of the most accessible buildings, too."
The ground floor of the Wilberforce building currently has one toilet for men, two for women and one for disabled students.
The HUU has now asked for one of the two toilets for female students to be reassigned as a gender-neutral toilet.
LGBT social secretary Jack James-Fagg said: "I'm really pleased the union is supporting the LGBT in placing gender-neutral toilets on campus.
"It's a large step in making transgender students feel safer and comfortable within the university.
"This could eliminate some of the stress that trans students go though every day.
"There is still more to be done to help the university and union to be more trans-inclusive, but this is a good step forward in showing they care about LGBT students."
The plans will have to be agreed by the university board before they are given the go-ahead.
Primary school rowPARENTS at a primary school in East Sussex complained after a primary school introduced unisex toilets in a bid to "prevent transphobia".
Pupils at Harbour Primary School in Newhaven were shocked to discover they had to share the "gender neutral" toilets at the start of the school year.
Many parents said their children didn't want to share facilities with the opposite sex because it made them feel "uncomfortable".
East Sussex County Council said it chose to install unisex toilets because they were better for hygiene, maintenance and pupil behaviour.
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