The switch to unisex bathrooms t
his year in the Wayland City Park was the subject of considerable discussion Monday evening at the Wayland City Council meeting.
Though local officials may have thought the matter was settled more than a year ago, the issue resurfaced because of comments by City Manager Tim McLean, Mayor Tim Bala and Mel Cooke, representing the Issues and Action Committee of the Dutton Reformed Church.
The City Council in May 2015 adopted a non-discrimination ordinance by a 6-0 vote, clearing the way for unisex bathrooms to be installed at the park. Wayland at that time became the 39th municipality in Michigan to adopt such a local law, prohibiting discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender individuals. So bathrooms marked for men and women separately this year have been identified as unisex, with the ability for users to lock the door.
McLean asked council members if the issue should be revisited because he has received complaints that the new bathrooms have caused a lot of confusion.
Bala added that at last Saturday’s Car Show at the park, “I noticed the lines were longer… With this bathroom deal, there is a lot of confusion.”
Under the new rules, each restroom can be used by one person at a time, with that ability to lock the door after entry. It was noted that the former women’s facility had two stalls and the men’s had one stall and a urinal.
Councilman Rick Mathis said he appreciates having the unisex bathrooms because he has two daughters who can use them for changing for the wildly popular splash pad and he can go into it with them.
Councilman Tim Rose agreed, noting he has been able to enjoy some of the same advantages.
Mathis later added that virtually all car shows attract large audiences and sometimes the hosts counter long lines by adding portable toilets.
Councilwoman Jennifer Antel took issue with the notion the new bathrooms are confusing.
“People shouldn’t be confused by family bathrooms,” she said. They have them now at places like Target and Meijer.”
She, Rose and Mathis said perhaps the most important task ahead is to find a way to construct a dressing room because of the splash pad.
Cooke then took the podium and told the council, “Our church is concerned about the transgender issue. The whole thing is unnecessary, a small minority is making a lot of noise… We don’t feel it is necessary to go to these lengths.”
Cooke said the biggest danger is for women and children, even if they can lock the doors behind them because a predator could by lying in wait inside.
“We want to protect our women and children,” he said.
About two weeks after the Wayland City Council adopted the non-discrimination ordinance, the minister of the Wayland Baptist Church showed up to protest, quoting scriptures condemning homosexuality. A woman also appeared at the meeting to say she felt uncomfortable using the same restroom as a person of a different gender.
However, the ordinance was considered and read during its journey through customary procedures and the ordinance has been in effect for about a year.
