MOSH offers gender-neutral bathroom

‘It's our mission to educate the community,' MOSH executive director says

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Museum of Science and History on the south bank in downtown Jacksonville offers inspiration in creating the joy of lifelong learning.

It also offers a gender-neutral restroom.

News4Jax spoke with Maria Hane, the executive director of MOSH, about the decision to have a gender-neutral bathroom.

Hane said making people more comfortable fits with the museum's goal of helping people learn.

“It’s our mission to educate the community. So if we have that as a mission and very core principle, then we have to create an environment that is very inviting to the entire community,” Hane said.

Hane, who’s served as executive director for the last seven years, said MOSH has offered the gender-neutral bathroom for six months. Despite the controversy surrounding gender-neutral bathrooms, Hane explained why MOSH made the choice to offer one.

“The cultural community really needs to be the leaders in modeling this kind of welcoming environment. And we need to be the first ones out there, or at least in the front pack, of really demonstrating how to be welcoming to all communities. So a gender-neutral bathroom is just one way to be able to do that,” Hane said.

Dan Merkan, chairperson for the Jacksonville Coalition for Equality, sent News4Jax a statement Tuesday night about MOSH’s decision.

“In recent years, businesses large and small have offered their workers and customers the option to use a gender-neutral restroom. It's encouraging to us to see other institutions in Jacksonville following suit. We applaud MOSH for creating a welcoming experience for all their patrons and guests."

MOSH staff have given positive feedback to the decision as well.

“Our staff, all across the board, really appreciated that we’re making a gesture in that way -- a significant gesture to that particular community,” Hane said.

Hane said the museum has not asked for feedback from the community, but has welcomed it.

She said some of the feedback has been as simple as, “Hey, I’ve noticed.”


About the Author:

Kent Justice co-anchors News4Jax's 5 p.m., 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts weeknights and reports on government and politics. He also hosts "This Week in Jacksonville," Channel 4's hot topics and politics public affairs show each Sunday morning at 9 a.m.