Swedish school opening gender neutral changing room

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, April 25 (UPI) -- A Swedish high school is opening a changing room for transsexuals and other students "who aren't comfortable being divided into gender stereotypes."

Officials and student leaders at the Sodra Latin school in Stockholm said the gender-neutral changing room will allow students to change one at a time and cater to those who consider themselves transsexual or do not define themselves as either male or female, The Local.se reported Thursday.

"It's for people who aren't comfortable being divided into gender stereotypes," student council member Camille Trombetti said.

Trombetti said officials welcomed the idea when it was put forward by the student council.

"They were very positive and welcoming but we had to figure out how to do it practically," she said.

Trombetti said she hopes the public will take the need for the gender-neutral changing room seriously.

"Every human being deserves a place where they feel comfortable," she said. "I'd remind people that hundreds of people commit suicide every year because they feel they are born into the wrong sex and don't feel their surroundings accept the gender they identify with."

The changing room is scheduled to be inaugurated May 6, with an address by Swedish artist Elisabeth Ohlson Wallin.