housing desegregated by gender/sex

[formichiere]

So I'm going to be living in my school's LGBT house next year, and I told my boyfriend that I'd probably be living with a guy or a transperson. (The house was desegregated by gender/sex this year thanks to a friend of mine who will be in charge next year.) He seemed to have a problem with it. My question is, what is the difference between me living with a straight girl and me living with a gay dude? I think the segregation by sex found in most of the housing is less about gender/sex and more about sexual orientation. Girls aren't supposed to be attracted to girls, so they're grouped together to avoid complications about sex or relationships within each apartment or room. I can't think of any other reason that they would segregate us in this way. I'm really happy to be living with either a guy or a transperson of any sexual orientation. Girls make me feel awkward. What's the big deal?

Also, I have to give huge props to my friend who worked to desegregate the rooms and restrooms in the house. She's awesome.

[itsa_wallaby]

Go desegregation! There's a movement on my campus to get a gender-blind housing hall in one of the dorms. It probably won't happen for a while though.

I don't understand the problem either. Things like that just confuse me. Maybe ask your boyfriend why it bothers him?

[Dave]

First, your friend is totally awesome.

That being said, I think there are many possibilities as for why housing is segregated by sex.

1. Tradition. No one complained in the past, so no one should complain now...it's how it's always been. Obviously, this isn't the case, but it's how it may be viewed.

2. Pregnancy. No one wants to send little Suzy off to college only to get her back for summer break with a big ol' pregnant belly. Is it the college's fault? Of course not, but parents will sure as hell try to sue in protest. After all, heaven forbid they look at little Suzy and say, "Well, you had sex and now this has happened. So what's your plan?" It's much easier to be pissed off and blame an entity that isn't responsible.

3. Fear of rape. This one is a stupid argument because women rape women and men rape men, and people will rape strangers so it's not like this will prevent it but I'm sure it's an argument used.

4. Some people are uncomfortable around the opposite sex. Some people are still raised that being around the opposite sex is really only something you're "allowed" to do in groups or if you're married. I was raised that way. Even if the person doesn't feel this is right, that person will still have been segregated from the opposite sex so much that it will be a culture shock. Well, WELCOME TO FUCKING COLLEGE, it's supposed to be a new experience where you learn new shit.


I think the only one that holds any clout would probably be number four since you don't want people living uncomfortably...in which case, they should be allowed to put down the gender of the person they wish to live with. Something like, "Check the box(es) of the gender you prefer to live with:
__ Female
__ Male
__ Other (transgender, genderqueer, etc.)"
This way, they can appeal to ALL students.

[formichiere]

Quick update for anyone who's interested:

I was placed with a female, but she's this crazy little pansexual girl who's really talkative and tries to remember my pronouns (usually fails, but the effort matters). I've made best friends with this guy that lives across the hall and pretty much everyone else in the house is awesome. My friend who is in charge of the house has been super helpful with trans stuff (there are only three transpeople in a house of fifteen) and most people avoid pronouns. The house is kind of like a hub for the queer community here, so lots of awesome people are in and out all the time. Basically it's like living in a big old house with a bunch of my friends! It turned out better than I expected even though I'm rooming with a girl.

Anyway. A rare happy post. =]