Creating Trans-Inclusive Policies and Procedures: The First Five Steps

Written by: Therese Kattner
Published On: May 14, 2012

Fewer than 500 colleges and universities protect transgender students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors in their non-discrimination policies, yet more people are coming forward with trans or gender-variant identities that directly challenge existing policies, procedures, and services.

Although some campuses are working on more advanced, practical issues such as ensuring that class rosters include trans students’ preferred names, most institutions are working on simply getting conversations about serving trans students started.

This initial step is often the hardest to take, says Ted Lewis, chair of the Trans* Committee at the University of North Carolina Charlotte.