New primary school gets go-ahead for unisex toilets for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pupils as young as five – despite protests from parents
Complaints were sent to Glasgow City Council after it emerged boys and girls will share lavatories at the new Blairdardie primary
A NEW primary school with unisex toilets has been given the go-ahead – despite angry protests from parents.
Complaints have been lodged with Glasgow City Council after it emerged boys and girls as young as FIVE will share lavatories at the new Blairdardie primary in a bid to stop lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pupils being bullied.
Councillors approved the building’s construction at a planning committee meeting despite the protests from furious parents.
Bosses believe the same-sex loos will cut bullying and prevent lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pupils from having to worry about using the 'wrong' toilet.
Several parents wrote letters of objection to the local authority after the plans came to light.
A report submitted to councillors by planning officials said the row over the unisex toilets was not a "material planning consideration".
Speaking last month, Malcolm Balfour, SNP councillor for Drumchapel and Anniesland, said parents had approached him with "serious concerns" over the use of unisex toilets at Blairdardie Primary.
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He added: "In Scandinavian countries they do this quite successfully, and I can see that it teaches kids it doesn't matter what their gender is, but parents feel they should have been consulted first."
In a letter to the council, objector Joyce McCann raised concerns about pupils sharing toilets if their religion doesn't allow it.
And Allan Walker called on City Council to produce evidence that same-sex toilets reduce bullying.
David McEwan, estate programme manager for the council's education services, said: "Bullying is reduced, behaviour is improved, no graffiti, no soggy bombs on the ceilings.
"It also assists in the LGBT agenda, because if we have children who are confused about their gender and worry, 'Do I go to the girls' toilet or the boys' toilet?' - well, it doesn't matter."
But Norman Wells of the Family Education Trust said: "The majority of parents will feel distinctly uncomfortable about unisex toilets in schools.
"Not only does it raise concerns about privacy, particularly at the upper end of primary school, but it undermines the fact that there are fundamental biological differences between boys and girls.
"Schools do not exist to advance the latest politically correct fad, and something has gone seriously wrong when the LGBT agenda is dictating the design of new school buildings."
Mr McEwan said the toilets will be fully enclosed but share a row of sinks.
Each floor will also have a fully accessible toilet away from the unisex loos that can be used by any pupil who doesn't want to use the main facilities.
The initiative has already been implemented in Hillhead primary school, an oversubscribed school in the city, where six unisex toilets have replaced boys' and girls' bathrooms.
Both genders will also share lavatories in G, which is currently around 50 per cent completed, and the new Carntyne Primary.
A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: "Research from other local authorities shows that unisex toilets can help improve behaviour and reduce bullying and vandalism. Parents, pupils and school staff have all been part of the design consultations for the new schools."
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