We have so many choices in life these days, it would be good to keep something simple. The array of choices is mind blowing, from coffee to bread to petrol. We have gone from white or black, white or brown, super or regular to soy, skinny latte, chai, decaf, multigrain, gluten free, rye and sour dough to V Power unleaded, diesel, 91/95/98.
We are now so obsessed with choices that we are looking for ways to complicate even the easiest and most basic elements of our lives – going to the toilet. What was a simple sit-or-stand-wash-hands-on-your-way-out no brainer might now require a tutorial in gender assignment before one even enters the space, if society follows the lead of the St Kilda Football Club from Etihad Stadium last weekend.
To embrace the Pride celebration, game toilets were rebadged with signs suggesting you go to the toilet that best suits your gender identity or expression. Also displayed were signs saying ‘Gender diversity is welcome here.’ I already have an aversion to public toilets, but that is based on hygiene and aroma not gender (though I am sure there is a link) and this won’t help.
What is a five year-old to make of this, who really should only be thinking about the immediate bodily function, not the baggage that might be forming around his or her personality years into the future? We are conscripting our kids to confusion and complications and setting an agenda of social behaviour that might make many adults feel good about themselves, but think of others. What about the people who are uncomfortable with this whole genre of thought? Are they being totally forgotten or don’t they matter because of the single mindedness of the people driving this agenda? And when you finish answering those questions, how about this one? Is football the correct vehicle to be driving these social changes?
We should all feel safe and comfortable wherever we go. That safety is generated by changing people’s attitudes and behaviours, which is done through education, not confrontation.
