Gender at events, meetings, conferences

Convention Centers, hotels, country clubs, conference centers - any place you would have an event you're working with their facilities. Interesting read from Mother Jones on the WWDC restroom situation - as in - a long line for the MEN's room. I've seen similar posts for Rush concerts - dudes lining up!  http://www.motherjones.com/mixed-media/2014/06/everything-you-need-to-know-about-wwdc-2014

How can we be mindful of gender at events? Should we convert men's rooms to women's rooms temporarily (yes, it can be done!) for a women focused event?  What about the trans community? What do they prefer/need? Asking the questions to the convention organizer - do "mens" and "womens" rooms even matter?  Something else?

I recall my old Marriott days, we worked with a transgendered conference that wanted to use the hotel pool exclusively for an evening social pool party (they asked the Hotel close the pool to all guests but this event).  We closed the pool to the outside Hotel for 2 hours so these folks could enjoy swimming without fear.  If you're planning an event, consider asking the venue these questions to create a safe space for your attendees if they need it.

If you're taking a survey for whatever reason take "Sex" off the Male or female question! Try "gender."

It is important to check any venue for the single-seater, ADA friendly, private, Unisex restroom. I think in many new facilities this is standard, but check it out. 

Lactation rooms are an important part of a large event - how nice for a nursing mom to have a place to pump mid-day.  At a hotel, you could convert a guest room easily for this - even adding a minifridge would be easy. At a convention center, an unused manager's show office/greenroom could work - WITH A LOCK! :)

When someone is making a special request, stop and LISTEN. Get creative to find a solution.