Latest news with #publictoilet
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Now is the time for a change in the mindset on LGBTQ rights
The freedom to use a suitable public toilet is a human right we can all relate to. Most of us know whether to use a washroom for women or 'gents'. But for transgender people in Hong Kong, the issue can be deeply troubling. Many face a dilemma when using toilets managed by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. They are required to choose one that corresponds to the sex stated on their identity card, often their gender at birth. Those making the difficult transition to the opposite gender might have to use a women's toilet when looking and dressing like a man, or vice versa. Many are so uncomfortable they don't use public conveniences at all. This unsatisfactory position must now change, with a High Court ruling last week declaring laws making it a criminal offence to use the 'wrong' FEHD toilet unconstitutional. Mr Justice Russell Coleman struck the regulations down, finding them to breach equality and privacy rights. He suspended his ruling for a year, giving the government time to find a solution. The case may seem trivial, but it is of great importance to the transgender community and raises the sensitive question of precisely when, during the transition, a person should be treated as having their acquired gender? Litigant K, who was born female but identified as male from an early age, was diagnosed with gender dysphoria in 2017. K undertook hormonal treatment and the 'real life experience' of consistently living as a man. An integral part of that process is using public toilets for men. Gender dysphoria is a medical condition that causes much distress and discomfort. It is a biological condition rather than a lifestyle choice, said the judge.
BBC News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Row over charges for public toilets in Malton
An argument over introducing charges to use a public toilet has the potential to damage plans to devolve services to lower tiers of local government, a councillor has Yorkshire Council had agreed to transfer the conveniences in Malton to the town council as part of what it has dubbed "double devolution".However, the deal has been described as a "busted flush" after the town council opted to introduce a 40p charge per use of the Market Place town's mayor has not commented on the issue, but it is understood the argument has meant the transfer deal is in danger of being cancelled. The deal would have seen the town council receive a one-off grant of £57,000 from the authority to pay for a refurbishment of the would have been the first transfer to a smaller town or parish council since the unitary authority was launched in the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands the deal is at risk due to concerns from the public over prompted the launch of a "free to pee" campaign by Keane Duncan, who represents the neighbouring town of Norton on North Yorkshire Council, with more than 1,500 people signing a petition against the at North Yorkshire Council's meeting on Wednesday, Duncan joked he had recently "spent an unhealthy amount of time outside Malton's public toilets".Duncan said the town council had agreed to the transfer "behind closed doors and without public consultation". 'Show respect' In a question to executive member for corporate services, Heather Phillips, Duncan added: "Has this toilet mess turned double devolution into double trouble - and a revolution in localism into a local revolt?"Doesn't it show that when you try to flush democracy down the pan, you may end up knee-deep in political sewage?"The chair of Malton Town Council and the town's mayor is North Yorkshire Council's independent member, Lindsay said the mayor had taken "a bit of a beasting" after details of the proposed fee for using the toilets emerged and urged people to "show respect and restraint" pointing out the decision was a "corporate" one made by the town is understood the transfer may be discussed by the town council at its next meeting on 30 July. Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- BBC News
Bournemouth Beach toilet rape suspect released on bail
A man arrested after a woman in her late teens was raped in a beachside public toilet has been released on police attack happened in a portable toilet on Undercliff Drive, Bournemouth, shortly before 02:00 BST on Police said officers were supporting the victim and that patrols had been increased along the stretch of beach to provide arrested man, who is 31 and from the town, was arrested on suspicion of rape and has now been bailed while inquiries continue. Members of the public who were on Undercliff Drive between Bournemouth Pier and the East Cliff Zig Zag path between 01:00 and 01:20 on Sunday are being asked to come forward. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Sit or squat? Scientist reveals why it's actually WORSE to hover over a public toilet
When nature calls and a public toilet is the only choice, the hygiene levels can often be pretty grim. But while it might be tempting to try to hover above the dirty seat, scientists say this is a bad idea. Dr Primrose Freestone, a clinical microbiologist from the University of Leicester, says that you should always sit down, no matter how unclean the seat might appear. Writing on The Conversation, Dr Primrose says: 'Squatting may actually cause injury or increase the risk of infection.' While squatting, the muscles in the pelvic floor, glutes, back, abs, and hip rotators are working hard to prevent you from falling down. The resulting tension in these muscles, collectively known as the pelvic girdle, prevents urine from freely releasing. This causes incomplete emptying of the bladder, which leads to increasing frequency and urgency of trips to the bathroom. In extreme cases, Dr Primrose warns that this could even lead to an increased likelihood of bladder infection. The pelvic floor is a layer of muscles that spans the base of the pelvis and supports the organs. When people urinate, the pelvic floor works to support the bladder and ensure that the process doesn't require too much strain. But when you are squatting, the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles are already tense. Brianne Grogan, a women's health physical therapist, says: 'This pelvic girdle tension makes it difficult for urine to flow easily, often requiring you to push or 'bear down' slightly to make the urine come out quickly. 'Frequent pushing or bearing down to urinate can contribute to pelvic organ prolapse.' This can be especially problematic for women who are more susceptible to pelvic floor disorders, particularly following pregnancy and childbirth. That means you should always try to avoid hovering in a half squat while peeing. If you are still worried about the risk of getting sick from sitting on a dirty toilet, the experts say there is no reason to be concerned. Dr Primrose says: 'Developing an infection from your bottom sitting on a toilet seat is very unlikely, as most intestinal diseases involve hand-to-mouth transfer of bacteria as a result of faecal contamination of hands, food and surfaces. 'Human skin is also covered by a layer of bacteria and yeast which functions as a highly effective protective shield.' That means there is no need to squat over the toilet in the first place. The far bigger worry should be touching surfaces in the toilet with your hands. When we flush a toilet, a plume of tiny liquid droplets containing bacteria and faecal matter, invisible to the naked eye, is violently ejected. Studies have shown that this plume of matter can travel up to five feet (1.5 metres), covering everything that it touches. That includes door handles, the toilet lid, toilet paper holders, and even your phone, which can end up coated with a layer of faecal matter and bacteria. Those include E. coli, which can result in nasty diarrhoea and stomach cramps, and Pseudomonas, which causes infections in the blood and lungs. Your phone is a particularly big infection risk for the 75 per cent of people who use their phones in the toilet. You should give your phone a regular clean with a 70 per cent alcohol wipe or a mild soap and water mixture to ensure it doesn't become a bacterial breeding ground. However, the most important thing you can do is to thoroughly wash your hands and try not to touch any surfaces like taps or soap dispensers with your bare hands. Dr Primrose says: 'It is advisable when hand washing is complete, to leave the tap on while you dry your hands - and then to use a clean paper towel to turn off the water.' Aerosol droplets containing urine, faeces and vomit stay in the air for up to 20 seconds Tiny droplets carrying traces of urine, faeces, vomit and viruses float into the air at mouth-level after a toilet is flushed, a 2021 study warned. It showed that tens of thousands of particles are spewed into the air by a flush and can rise several feet above the ground. Droplets were spotted floating around five feet (1.5m) in the air for more than 20 seconds, with researchers pointing out this poses a risk of inhalation. Small droplets and aerosols are so light they can float around in the air on tiny draughts, before settling on a surface. Researchers say that they can also act as vectors for diseases. SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes Covid, for example, has been found alive in human faeces. Therefore, scientists warn that flush-propelled particles from an infected person's faeces could float into the air, be sucked in by a passer-by, and infect them.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- BBC News
Man remains in custody over Bournemouth beach public toilet rape
A man arrested on suspicion of raping a teenager in a beachside public toilet remains in police 31-year-old was held after a woman in her late teens was attacked close to Undercliff Drive in Bournemouth at about 01:15 BST on Sunday. Dorset Police said it wanted to speak to a man and a woman who were seen walking a brown dog in the area at the time. The force said it also wanted to hear from a man in dark clothing carrying a backpack and seen walking towards Bournemouth Pier, as well as a group who interacted with the victim shortly after she was attacked. A police cordon has been removed but there will be an increased police presence in the area while investigations continue. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
