Skip to main content
Sunday, November 1, 2026Nov 1

This story is free to read.

ETSU puts gender-neutral restrooms in dorms and classroom buildings

ETSU photo by Smoke321
ETSU photo by Smoke321 ETSU photo by Smoke321
photo The sign for a gender-neutral restroom is in the new library on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — East Tennessee State University has updated some restrooms in academic buildings and residence halls with signage that identifies them as gender-neutral restrooms.

The university’s Associate Vice President for Facilities Management Bill Rasnick tells the Johnson City Press that the restrooms with the new signs had previously been restrooms that were not specific to either males or females.

According to the Heartland Trans Wellness Group, an organization that works on behalf of transgendered individuals in America, gender-neutral restrooms are generally lockable, single-stall bathrooms that are available to people of all genders.

Rasnick says transgender issues did play a part in the university’s decision to install the signage.

He says no new constructions or renovations have been performed to install the new restrooms.

UTC also opened gender-neutral restrooms for the first time this year.