SIGNING FOR A GENDER NEUTRAL FUTURE

By Erin West

The perceptions of the world around us are constantly changing. With this evolving outlook grows our understanding of how people relate to and identify with their bodies. Something as everyday as choosing a restroom can be a tricky, uncomfortable, or even a dangerous situation for someone who associates outside of the norm.

Recently some of our clients, with encouragement by LGBTQ campus groups, have asked us to present designs for a gender-neutral restroom sign. This led us to question the prolific use of male and female gender-based icons and how we will be represented as we move further from traditional social norms and move toward a future where everyone is treated equally.

Taken for granted, the binary icon set has represented our species since the beginning of civilized documentation. These pictograms, like many others, are propagated in internationally-recognized standards that are used to denote (rest)room accessibility. The graphics use antiquated physical and material indicators, which represent two genders exclusively. Yet, there are many new things in and of our world – expanded knowledge, seemingly endless resources, and the freedom to redefine ourselves and our experiences. 

In beginning to answer our question, we researched a variety of reports and editorials published by university LGBTQ student organizations and popular periodicals regarding gender association. Like so many socio-political movements of the past, colleges and universities have been on the forefront of acknowledging gender associations that step outside of our binary system. 

For those who desire to create an inclusive environment a new solution is needed. Accessibility, in this case, signifies acceptance and opens the conversation for gender awareness.

To depart from the male/female character set, we explored inclusive pictograms and nomenclature:

One approach is a person-based pictogram that represents an open gender association. Another is a function-based pictogram focusing on the common use of the room. These appear to be two prevalent approaches in use with the existing graphic variations being quite limited. Alternatively, a solution could be explored that redefines the character set altogether, reconsidering the male and female representations along with the gender-neutral.  

Typical existing solutions

Person-based pictograms

As for messaging, one would think the already inclusive language “Restroom” to be sufficient. Otherwise we have found that “Gender Open”, “All Gender”, “Gender Neutral”, and “Inclusive” are acceptable considerations. Still, the terminology and semantics seem to be in flux and can be new and unfamiliar terms to most. Not only do proponents of inclusive environments want to ensure their patrons are comfortable, they wish to educate the public to promote knowledge and acceptance. For these reasons it may be beneficial, regardless of the selected content, to offer an explanatory narrative.

Function-based pictograms and messaging options with explanatory narrative

Our research reveals that this idea is gaining traction; gender-neutral restroom signs encourage us to reconsider our relationship to gender-based icons and the traditional norms that they represent. It is the responsibility of the designer to meet this programmatic need with as elegant a solution as possible, considering function as well as human experience, while not abandoning sense of place.