For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with gastrointestinal issues. My sensitive stomach has meant that the fear of a spontaneous bathroom trip is constantly on my mind. Sometimes, it is a cold drink that does the trick or consuming too much caffeine on an empty stomach. But most of the time, it is the crippling anxiety that comes with an important interview or presentation, a big exam, or even just the thought of raising my hand to answer a question in class. It is in these moments that I feel the most out of control and helpless, at the mercy of my own body.
While I aim to break down the stigma around this universal experience from a mental health standpoint, how we discuss, design, and prioritize access to bathrooms is also a political and social issue. Bathrooms are an unavoidable pillar of our daily experiences, but often, their importance and design are overlooked, treated as afterthoughts rather than opportunities for inclusive design. Critical dialogue and reflection between designers and users—especially across a spectrum of gender, disability, and age—are deeply necessary for progress and change to happen.
My hope for this bulletin is to create a safe and welcoming space for people to share their private experiences in very public places—unspoken understandings and common struggles. In curating it, I have encountered some incredibly honest, compassionate, and intimate stories. I feel truly honored that so many have shared their perspectives here. And for you, dear reader, I hope these words will connect with you in some way or invite you to see the world a little differently. I hope the informal, impromptu, and candid conversations I have had the pleasure of experiencing will continue outside the bounds of the bulletin and into our day-to-day lives going forward.
Love,
jess