Groups tackle rights of transgendered at VCU

For many students, college is a time of newfound freedom and expression – a chance to be themselves. For transgendered students, being open about sexuality is not easy.

Despite providing protections to individuals based on their sexuality, VCU does not specifically protect its transgendered population under its Non-Discrimination Policy. However, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Subcommittee of the University Equity and Diversity Committee and the Richmond-based group Queer Action are working toward an amendment that would protect the university’s transgendered population.

“It’s not in there. There’s nothing in VCU’s policy, as far as I have seen . regarding transgendered issues,” said Donna Coghill, a member of the subcommittee.

According to Coghill, VCU would not be the only university to institute these protections, should the amendment pass.

“Nine of VCU’s peer institutions . and 147 colleges and universities nationwide, have adopted similar resolutions,” states the draft of the reasons for the amendment.

The amendment also argues VCU is unable to assess the true extent of the problems facing unprotected members of the university community because they might not come forward.

“It’s something that people keep really secret; there’s no census information,” said F. Ryan O’Donnell, president of Queer Action. “There’s not even a way to know how many people are transgendered in the whole populous of the world, because it’s something that’s kind of frowned upon to talk about,” O’Donnell said.

If the amendment is passed by the university administration, it would provide protection against harassment and discrimination to not only the transgendered population but also to others who fall outside traditional gender norms at VCU.

M. Njeri Jackson, special assistant for diversity with the Office of the Provost, discussed the amendment. Jackson said she could not speak for the entire administration because not everyone had read the amendment yet, but she thinks it is consistent with the university’s diversity policy.

“Not everyone has had an opportunity to speak to it,” Jackson said. “It’s fair to say that . to the extent that the amendment contributes to inclusive excellence, it would be supported by the administration.”

O’Donnell said it is important for the university to have a policy that is specific about transgender discrimination.

“In a conservative environment such as Virginia . it is imperative that these be spelled out to help prevent any discrepancies,” O’Donnell said.

Even before they enter college, O’Donnell said discrimination is a major problem for those in the transgender community. The ideas of gender roles themselves create problems for them, as they are encouraged to pursue traditional activities based on their sex.

“Housing is very gendered and it’s based on your biological gender,” O’Donnell said. “Most transgendereds that I know at VCU, . . . didn’t even try (to live in the dorms) . They’re missing out on the experience of living on campus freshman year.”

Transgendered students also face the difficult task of getting others, even professors, to recognize what they feel is their proper identity, O’Donnell said.

“If your first name is Nicolas and you prefer to go by Nichole – especially if you’re presenting as female – it can be very awkward and uncomfortable for the students,” O’Donnell said.

Other routine decisions, such as choosing which bathroom to use in public places can be a problem for transgendered students, according to O’Donnell.

Coghill sympathized with the frustrations such incidents could cause.

“It is a form of discrimination that is probably different than what a lot of people would think about,” Coghill said. “If a transgendered person wants to be referred to as a he, then they should be.”

The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs sponsors programs for promoting understanding of gender and sexuality issues. Events include panels, film series and social networking groups. Among the events was September’s LGBT Ice Cream Social, where students of all backgrounds were invited to come and get to know one another.

Xavier Guadalupe, LGBT and women’s services coordinator with the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, pointed out these programs are not targeted specifically toward the transgendered community.

“VCU doesn’t offer separate programs just for transgenders, because we consider it one community-the LGBT community,” he said.

O’Donnell said there is hope the current generation of students will embrace transgendered individuals.

“I think our generation as a whole has been exposed to so much more than our parents’ generation,” O’Donnell said. “More students are coming out as transgendered in high school and beginning their transition . so people are more likely to have known someone that was transgendered.”

The Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth

ROSMY is a non-profit agency that provides support services for Richmond area gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth 21 years of age and younger. It also conducts training and workshops for adults who work with youth.

P.O. Box 5542, Richmond, Va. 23220, (804) 353-1699, Youth Support Line: (804) 353-2077, rosmy@rosmy.org

Gay Fathers of Richmond

GFC Richmond is a non-profit organization that provides support and information for gay and bi-sexual men that are fathers, their partners, children and supporters.

P.O. Box 6503, Richmond, Va. 23230, info@gfc-richmond.org

Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network, Richmond Chapter

GLSEN Richmond strives to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.

P.O. Box 5180, Midlothian, Va. 23112, glsenrichmond@yahoo.com

Richmond Queer Liberation Front

A direct action activist group that believes gender, sex and sexuality are fluid and limitless. They provide free space to community organizations for weekly meetings and events. They also host workshops, speakers, queer performers, art shows, dance parties, a lending library and more.

120 West Marshall Street, Richmond, Va. 23220, (804) 562-4713, rva_queerspace@queerliberation.org

Information provided by http://www.mccrichmond.org