Ryerson gave this years incoming first year students the opportunity to live in "all gender" student housing, the first of its kind in Canada.

The all gender housing will have accommodations for all gender identities. Unlike traditional housing, rooms and apartments shared by 2 or more students, students could end up with roommates from a different gender. Students also were given the option to disclose their gender and be paired with someone from the same gender if they wanted as well.

Ryerson has been able to implement this with the help of Ryerson Student Union's VP Camryn Harlick, who presented this issue, along with a solution to school officials, saying that there is a need for more equitable student housing. The solution: expand the gender categories on their residence application and introduce all gender student housing.

Schools have been known to already have mixed gender residences and single dorms, either together on the same floor or alternating floors, and schools have already been taking action in assisting students that may need help surrounding gender. Sophie Lafleur, president of Ryerson's residence council believes "the move to an "all gender" residence was a natural next step," especially when you consider Ryerson's previous efforts, including adding all gender washrooms two years ago.

Ryerson hopes this initiative will allow for the students who do not identify as male or female to feel more included and have a safe space on campus, considering for many, it may be their first time away from home, or first time in the city. It will benefit the campus culture greatly, and Harlick believes that, "it sets the tone that transphobia won't be accepted... you at least know that if you go to somebody, they're going to kind of know what you're talking about."

Nearly half of the incoming 750 first year students at Ryerson chose the new all gender housing option – it's pretty clear that the class of 2021 approves of their school's decision. In addition, being situated in downtown Toronto, a city that has been ranked third in the world's most friendly LGBT-Friendly Cities Ranking, Ryerson is showing its support for the community.

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