Gender-blind
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For species with only one sex, see Unisexual.
Gender-blind (or unisex) is a term describing activities undertaken and services provided without regard to the gender of those who participate.
An example would be a college offering a gender-blind dormitory. In the gender-blind dorm, roommates could be assigned without regard to any person’s sex. This allows transgender persons and persons who do not accept gender labels to live in more comfortable settings than may otherwise be possible in single-sex housing. It is also good for heterosexuals who otherwise couldn't live with their partners while at the university.
Hair stylists and beauty salons that serve both men and women are often referred to as unisex, although that usage was probably more common in the 1980s when men first started to go to hair stylists in large numbers instead of to barbers.
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[edit] Choice of words
Unisex is an older term, and a misnomer meaning, "one sex". Some feel it carries the connotation of being duo-sex, (which would mean two at the same time) and many being afraid to use the more appropriate term, bisex, because of the sexual connotations. Whereas, gender-blind goes against most tenets of heteronormativity, by not looking at gender at all.
[edit] The National Student Genderblind Campaign
In 2006 the National Student Genderblind Campaign was created as a collaborative grass-roots organization intended to educate students, administrators, and others throughout the country. The NSGC advocates for the implementation of gender-inclusive dorm room and bathroom options.
In December 2006, the National Student Genderblind Campaign found itself in national controversy after receiving what it claimed to be biased and negligent coverage by Boston's Fox 25 News.[1] The controversy triggered a formal press statement released nationally[2] and an appearance on Fox News Channel's "Heartland" show with John Kasich on December 16, 2006.
