On unisex bathroom courtesy: Is it up, or down?

As the lone male in the house, I learned long ago the sin of leaving the lid up.  Several factors have led to me to lid-lowering, an act that is just as customary as flushing or hand-washing.  First, there was the 80-pound lab who had no qualms with taking a drink from the big bowl if it was available.  Second, was a terrifying story someone once told me about how a toilet flush sends tiny particles straight up in the air like a mushroom cloud, causing bacteria and germs to settle all over, the bulk of which would undoubtedly land on your toothbrush.  Last, but not least, is the damning cry of any woman who has ever stumbled to the bathroom in the middle of the night, nearly fell in, and yelled "Who left the seat up!?!?"

So I have no problem with putting the lid down.  After all, it is a lid.  But I wonder about the unisex public toilet.  Should the seat go up, or stay down? Now before my female readers scream "DOWN!"  Consider this: 1.  It's not a lid, it is a seat.  It won't prevent stray dogs from taking a drink, nor does it block any toxic particles that may emanate from the flush. 2. Not every gentleman is as concerned about the seat as I am, and the temptation to just "thread the horseshoe" is often too great, inevitably leading to some sprinkle that YOU will have to wipe off.

So unless someone convinces me otherwise, I will from now on be leaving the seat up in the public unisex toilet.  So, should you visit one and find the seat up, remember, I did this for you.