Gender neutral bathroom sign. Image: Ted Eytan, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Using public toilets when you’re transgender or gender non-conforming can be stressful, and sometimes even result in harassment or violence.

When a person’s gender presentation confuses strangers, they will often build up a range of automatic behaviours designed to keep them safe when they feel vulnerable in public places.

This radio feature explores the feelings and experiences that go with using public bathrooms as a transgender person.

It uses a rhythmic, broken storytelling style to take the listener on a sonic journey through some of the anxieties and personal impact that gendered bathrooms have on trans and gender non-conforming people.

Written and produced by Arlie Adlington.

The following music is used in this piece:

• Juliette by Podington Bear; licensed under CC BY-NC 3.0
• Open Your Eyes by Sparrow; with permission

The following sounds from Soundsnap are used in this piece:

• Construction 10
• Impact wood palette broken strike hammer 01
• 5 pound hammer hitting metal checker plate hollow gong
• Impact metal trunk hammer strike 01
• 5 pound hammer hitting metal checker plate tap scrape
• Wire single whoosh blastwavefx 12907
• Rupture glass window cracking 02
• Underwater 02

The following sounds from FreeSound are used in this piece:

• Squeaky bathroom door
• Case/Restaurant Ambience

All other music and sounds made by Arlie Adlington.