Shubert now has gender neutral bathrooms- Page 1

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 12:14am

When I went to my theatre to get ready for my shift, I noticed something that wasn't there on Sunday when I was last there. They put up signs, informing patrons that they can use whichever bathroom they feel fits more with their identity. It's great that they did this. I would attach the photo I took of the sign but, I am typing this on my phone I'll try to remember to post it when I get home and am on my computer.

[joevitus]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 1:34am

This is good. This is a win.

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 1:36am

Islander_fan said: "When I went to my theatre to get ready for my shift, I noticed something that wasn't there on Sunday when I was last there. They put up signs, informing patrons that they can use whichever bathroom they feel fits more with their identity. It's great that they did this. I would attach the photo I took of the sign but, I am typing this on my phone I'll try to remember to post it when I get home and am on my computer."

Not really gender neutral as they still say mens and womens on them but yay for the sign. They have them at Jagged Little Pill and Frozen too. As someone who is non binary I appreciate not getting questioned no matter which bathroom i use. 

Updated On: 1/22/20 at 01:36 AM

[Kitsune]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 1:43am

I know there's a sign like that in the August Wilson, but I can't remember if it's true of all Jujamcyn theaters. 

Also, I'm assuming most theaters have at least one single stall bathroom? (They're often meant for people using wheelchairs, but it could also be good for non-binary folks depending on what they're comfortable with).

Anyway, glad to hear about the new sign.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 1:57am

mailhandler777 said: "Islander_fan said: "When I went to my theatre to get ready for my shift, I noticed something that wasn't there on Sunday when I was last there. They put up signs, informing patrons that they can use whichever bathroom they feel fits more with their identity. It's great that they did this. I would attach the photo I took of the sign but, I am typing this on my phone I'll try to remember to post it when I get home and am on my computer."

Nor really gender neutral as theystill say mens and womens on them but yay for the sign. They have them at Jagged Little Pill and Frozen too. As someone who is non binary I appreciate not getting questioned no matter which bathroom i use."

We’re talking about the Shuberts here. They operate as if it’s 1914, so the fact that the sign exists is a win itself. 

All Jujamcyn houses have these signs (and have had them for a while!) 

[Fosse76]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 5:15am

I heard this was happening, but since that was months ago I forgot about it. It will eventually roll out to all the Shubert houses.

***EDIT 

It should be noted that businesses in New York are required to allow people to use restrooms (and other single sex facilities) that conform to their gender identity (However,  they are also required to "make clear" that "they can be used by people of all genders." Presumably this is why the signs are being installed. For anyone uncomfortable with "sharing" a bathroom with someone of nonconforming gender, business are permitted to offer alternatives to the complainant (such as use of a single occupancy facility). It would be unlawful for the business to suggest the alternative to the person of nonconforming gender in response to the complaint. 

Updated On: 1/22/20 at 05:15 AM

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 5:23am

Forgot to make it plural when typing the ordinal subject line. But, it was meant to have been Shuberts as in the company. Not Shubert singular as in the Shubert theatre. It should be noted that the theatre I was working at was A Shubert theater not THE Shubert theatre. So I think it’s a new company wide thing sorry for the confusion.

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 9:56am

The Al Hirschfeld has these signs as well.

Updated On: 1/23/20 at 09:56 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 10:07am

Where are they at the Hirschfield? I was just in there last night.

[MayAudraBlessYou2]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 10:28am

Notreally gender neutral as theystill say mens and womens on them but yay for the sign. They have them at Jagged Little Pill and Frozen too. As someone who is non binary I appreciate not getting questioned no matter which bathroom i use."

Regarding the fact that they still have the men and women signs: Strangely enough, this is part of an outdated law on the books for theaters in New York. It was enacted long ago, because many theaters had their women's restrooms located in a place where one would have to exit the theater in order to use it. So even in the cold, there would be a line outside the building of women b/c that restroom had an outside entrance. Eventually a law was put in place dictating that theaters must have indoor space for both men and women's room so as to treat everyone equally. 

The theater I worked for discovered this during a renovation. The original reno plan included one large gender neutral restroom with many individual floor to ceiling stalls. However we found out that this old law required us to have a men and women restroom. So we could only have a specific gender neutral one if we were to build a third restroom, which there was no room for. The law would probably be pretty easy to fight and be changed (it was great for it's time, but no one has bothered to change it as times have changed), but many theater organizations dont have the funds or times to take on that legal battle. So my theater, like many others, still have men and women restrooms, but they are accompanied by signs stating that they support patrons using whichever space aligns with their gender identity. 

[miamama2]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 10:35am

New York City Center does, as well. Spotted a few weeks ago at "Harry Townsend's Last Stand."

"Gender diversity is welcome here. Use the restroom that best fits your gender identity or expression."

Bravo.
 

[Lot666]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 12:45pm

uncageg said: "Where are they at the Hirschfield? I was just in there last night."

When we saw Moulin Rouge in November, a sign was on the wall outside the (ostensible) men's room on the second floor.

[Esther]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 2:09pm

"Gender diversity is welcome here. Use the restroom that best fits your gender identity or expression."

Bravo.
"

The Public has had that signage outside their restrooms for several years 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 3:00pm

Good to know.  Looks like from now on I'll be "identifying" as whatever gender has the shorter bathroom line.

 

[Wick3]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 3:41pm

I've seen this sign at Jujamcyn theaters for a while too. I recall first seeing them back when Kinky Boots was at the Al Hirschfeld.

I recall when watching WAITRESS a few weeks ago, there was a sign stating how women may use the men's restroom stalls after the first 7 mins or something like that during intermission. 

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 5:16pm

JSquared2 said: "Good to know. Looks like from now on I'll be "identifying" as whatever gender has the shorter bathroom line.

"

That's really not what it's for. It's for people like me who is not male or female and not comfortable in either bathroom. Having these signs up means if I get harassed or questioned I can say something to someone. 

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 5:44pm

"That's really not what it's for. It's for people like me who is not male or female and not comfortable in either bathroom. Having these signs up means if I get harassed or questioned I can say something to someone. "

It also could be used for a parent of a different sex than the child they have with them at the show.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 8:11pm

Longer lines by the mens rooms Kind of miss the fun of going in the other bathroom .Such is life

[Pose2]

Posted: 1/22/20 at 8:19pm

Good to know.  Looks like from now on I'll be "identifying" as whatever gender has the shorter bathroom line.

Nope. What a despicable thing to say. Shocker. 

That's really not what it's for. It's for people like me who is not male or female and not comfortable in either bathroom. Having these signs up means if I get harassed or questioned I can say something to someone.

Exactly. I hope you have a much more comfortable experience and no one gives you crap. 

[Ladylusiphur]

Posted: 1/23/20 at 8:00am

I wouldn't mind who was using any of them, I just wish there were more! (I know it's never going to happen). Seeing To Kill a Mockingbird I was lucky to get to the balcony restrooms pretty quickly and didn't have to queue, but nearer the end of the intermission the queue was practically down to the Mezzanine!

(It was also worrying that the gaps at each side of the door are so big you can wave to people waiting outside, although this seems to be pretty common in the US so perhaps bothers you all less!)

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/23/20 at 8:58am

"I wouldn't mind who was using any of them, I just wish there were more! (I know it's never going to happen). Seeing To Kill a Mockingbird I was lucky to get to the balcony restrooms pretty quickly and didn't have to queue, but nearer the end of the intermission the queue was practically down to the Mezzanine!"

Personally, I think theaters need to convert some of the men's rooms into women's bathrooms since mostly women attend Broadway shows. Not trying to be a wise guy, but men go quicker for the most part so they can live with fewer bathrooms. I understand the cost involved into trying to convert bathrooms but it does make common sense to do it for your customers.

[Esther]

Posted: 1/23/20 at 10:11am

Also, I'm assuming most theaters have at least one single stall bathroom? (They're often meant for people using wheelchairs, but it could also be good for non-binary folks depending on what they're comfortable with).

."

Most, but not all & the Shubert happens to be one of the theaters that does NOT have a single stall accessible restroom on premises (Golden, O'Neill, Cort are others that lack that accessibility as well) 

[Joviedamian]

Posted: 1/23/20 at 12:40pm

There's a department store in Los Angeles that does not have specific gender identification on their restroom sign. It's a small hallway and on the wall it just says 'Restrooms'..when you walk in a it a large room with one big sink (with about 7 faucets) and about 10 private fully closed door stalls to the right or the left. Everyone goes in individually, no matter who you are. And, to the side, there is 3 fully closed door stalls for person's with disabilities (in case they need more room, etc). I thought it was brilliant...I did not see gender at all..I saw a restroom stall and used the restroom, washed and dried my hands and walked out...brilliant!

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 1/23/20 at 3:52pm

It's pretty common in parts of Europe to have bathrooms like that, where it isn't gendered at all and there's just a bunch of stalls and sinks. There's also many restaurants here that just have a bunch of stalls (with doors that actually go all the way to the sides/floor) with a row of sinks outside. Personally, I'm a fan of NYTW's bathroom signs, which just tell you what equipment is in the bathroom (i.e. stalls vs stalls and urinals). Gendering restrooms is such a silly concept anyway, so I'm glad the commercial theatre owners are at least trying to be more inclusive. 

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 1/23/20 at 7:09pm

This is for Paul San Marco and The Jewel Box Revue!