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Regarding guidance on Title IX and transgender students

Date: Feb. 23, 2017

From Shaun Travers, campus diversity officer, director of the UC San Diego Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center and GISOI committee consultant

“Yesterday the guidance regarding the interpretation of Title IX that was provided under the Obama administration was rescinded, which allowed students throughout our nation to use the restrooms in schools which matched their gender identity, as well as expect schools to honor their gender identity in all areas related to instruction, like names, pronouns and dress codes. A complete list of frequently asked questions and answers is available from the National Center for Transgender Equality, which provides both background and explanation for what is happening.

In California, the California Education Code was amended in 2013 through Assembly Bill 1266 to ensure students could participate in all activities and access facilities consistent with their gender identity, and ensures names, pronouns and student records accurately reflect the realities of our trans students. FAQ about the legal issues related to supporting our transgender students is available at http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/di/eo/faqs.asp.

The University of California has polices in place which protect our communities from harassment and discrimination related to gender identity, and our own UC San Diego policies reinforce this for our students, faculty and staff. Our campus Principles of Community guide our values, and specifically include gender identity.

However, even with the law and polices in place throughout our state, the climate for our transgender community is still deeply impacted by the ongoing federal and state legislative, judicial and executive decisions regarding rights of transgender people.

Now is the time to reach out and provide support, to check in with those who you know, and to be sensitive to what you can do to create an inclusive, welcoming and supportive campus for our transgender community. There are still systemic and social barriers that impact our students, faculty and staff every day, including comprehensive access to preferred names and pronouns throughout all university data systems. The UC San Diego LGBT Resource Center and all of our sister Campus Community Centers, the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Issues, and numerous working groups and committees continue to try and change policy and practice to do better at UC San Diego.

All of us working together can continue to improve the climate for our entire community, including our transgender community. Please take time today to imagine how you might be able to improve the UC San Diego experience for our transgender community. Then start to do it. We all have a part to play.”