There are a number of ways campuses can better support transgender students, said Lauren Bennett, of the University of Alabama, in her Annual Meeting session “Beyond Pronouns and Policy: Moving Towards Trans-Inclusive Practices.”
Bennett cited research from , stating that there is much work to be done.
Out of the 4,700 postsecondary institutions in the United States, only:
-- 249 include chosen name on student records;
-- 199 have a full-time staff member focused on LGBTQ+ resources;
-- 74 include gender affirming medical intervention on student health insurance;
-- 54 allow gender record updates without medical intervention;
-- 42 include chosen name on campus ID cards;
-- 27 include LGBTQ+ identities on admissions applications; and
-- 13 include gender pronouns on course rosters.
Bennett offered a number of best practices for supporting transgender students, including:
- Implement inclusive recruiting practices (provide information to students about campus resources and processes for documenting pronouns during orientation)
- Decouple sex assigned at birth and gender identity on all forms and documentation and in all information systems
- Train and educate staff
- Collect data
- Allow students to designate pronouns and first name (and educate faculty about using these)
- Make the pronoun designations and first name available through the class roster and all forward-facing screens
- Do not require medical intervention to change gender marker
- Allow chosen name on all non-legal documentation and forms
Bennett also offered some first steps for creating inclusive environments:
- Provide your pronouns where your name exists
- Question your own practices (consider whether questions regarding gender are necessary)
- Remove gendered language from websites and forms (use gender-neutral language instead)
- Don’t reinforce the gender binary
- Decorate your office space with inclusive materials to indicate to students you are a safe and supportive space