Recently signed laws targeting the transgender community, such as North Carolina’s HB2, should be protested and repealed. To combat the prejudice these hateful laws perpetuate, allies of transgender individuals must support the implementation of gender-neutral bathrooms, such as the “all gender bathrooms” constructed at Park in 2015.

Recently, the Obama administration issued a guidance directing public schools to ensure that “transgender students enjoy a supportive and nondiscriminatory school environment,” as described in a joint letter from the Justice and Education Departments. Though not explicitly stated, the directive implies a loss of federal funding if not followed.

This directive was issued in response to North Carolina’s HB2, a recently signed law which requires transgender individuals to use the restroom which corresponds to their biological sex.

In the past year, North Carolina became the first state in history to pass legislation limiting transgender bathroom access. Discriminatory bathroom bills are not only being considered in North Carolina. According to the Human Rights Campaign, as of last Feburary, “bathroom bills” are currently being considered in 29 states as of last February.

For many people, bathroom use does not require much thought. However, for transgender people, choosing a bathroom aligning with their gender identity causes anxiety and fear, as many transgender individuals face prejudice from others in public bathrooms.

Bathroom bills target transgender individuals using the bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. Transgender individuals and business owners in violation of the laws face legal penalties.

What’s worse, bathroom bills have caused an increase in calls to the Trans Lifeline, a U.S. crisis and suicide hotline, which reported that calls have “nearly doubled” since HB2 went into effect.

In contrast to bathroom bills, gender-neutral bathrooms are being constructed in schools across the United States in an attempt to help make all students feel comfortable coming to school. In 2015, Park began constructing all gender bathrooms, a decision made this past summer between the student office and one of the facility managers.

Though only the small amount of transgender students at Park are personally affected by this change, its impact is immeasurable. By constructing all gender bathrooms, Park creates a supportive and respectful atmosphere for all students and exemplifies the progressive nature of the school.

A common misconception about gender-neutral bathrooms is that the implementation of bathrooms for all will lead to pedophillia and rape. However, during the past 35 years of Non-Discrimination Ordinances protecting the transgender community, there was only one reported case of an individual who took advantage of these laws to sexually-assault another in a bathroom.

Opponents of gender-neutral bathrooms contribute to the prejudice of transgender individuals. Schools that decide not to create gender-neutral bathrooms perpetuate the ongoing discrimination of the transgender community.

Bathroom bills need to be halted and existing laws must be repealed. Each individual bears responsibility for taking initiative and promoting equality for people of all gender identities.