The Trans* Umbrella: Information that Matters to Higher Ed Professionals

The Trans* Umbrella

Information that Matters to Higher Ed Professionals

Questions/Comments/Ideas

contact me:

mandy stephens

mandy.c.stephens@gmail.com

office: 262-524-7412

cell: 920-901-7082

Mandy Stephens

Interim Director of Academic Advising

Carroll University

Learning Outcomes

define terminology & identities related to the trans* and gender non-conforming communities

Ground Rules

describe the impact that coming out as trans* can have on a person’s college experience

The Vegas Rule

Assume Best Intent

understand the responsibility of being an ally, to trans* and gender nonconforming individuals

Create a Comfortable Space

Be Courageous

identify at least three academic resources to continue learning about trans students in the higher education setting

Words to Know

The Statistics

definitions for these terms and many, many more can be found on this great website:

http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2013/01/a-comprehensive-list-of-lgbtq-term-definitions/

Gender

socially constructed system that prescribes masculine/feminine qualities to individuals. Can change over time, and can differ based on culture.

Gender Role

the act of being what is socially considered feminine or masculine.

GenderQueer

Gender Identity

(1) a blanket term used to describe people whose gender falls outside of the gender binary;

(2) a person who identifies as both a man and a woman or neither a man or a woman

These statistics come from The Healthy Minds Study, a national survey of over 14,000 students on campuses across the US.

http://activeminds.org/transgender-college-student-mental-health

the internal perception of an individual's gender, and how they label themselves

Cisgender

Gender Expression

A person whose gender identity, gender expression, and biological sex all align.

the external display of gender through a combination of dress, demeanor, social behavior, and other factors, generally measured on a scale of masculinity and femininity.

Transgender

an umbrella term used to describe people who fall outside of the "typical" systems of sex & gender. Trans or (trans*) is the appropriate abbreviation for transgender, where the * indicates inclusivity of transgender related identities.

Transsexual

a person who identifies as a sex or gender that is different than what society typically associates with their biological/assigned sex.

Cissexism

Transition

the belief that transgender persons are inferior to, less authentic, or otherwise "less than" cisgender persons.

the process through which a person modifies their physical characteristics and/or gender expression to be consistent with their gender identity

Transphobia

65.5%

the fear, hatred, and/or strong dislike for people who find themselves outside the typical systems of gender and sex

"I am optimistic about my future."

Today's Trans*

College Students

of non-trans* students agreed or strongly agreed

30.5%

Being an Ally for

Trans* Students

of trans* students agreed or strongly agreed.

Despite high levels of mental health issues, harassment, mistreatment, discrimination and violence faced by trans* students, studies have shown they are determined, resourceful and perseverant.

"People respect me."

Remember the "QUEER" Method:

66.3% of non-trans* students

and 35.5% of trans* students

agreed or strongly agreed

Many have an understanding

of their identity or gender differences and come to college expecting support and resources.

What We Need to Know

In the last year, 32.7% of trans* students thought about attempting suicide.

42.8%

Depression

31%

19.4%

Anxiety

19.7%

7.4%

Eating Disorder

3.3%

Things to think about:

Transgender and

nonbinary-identified people are often marginalized and face discrimination.

This takes a toll on their sense of belonging and mental health.

Students may use a different name from their birth name

Lifetime Diagnosis

• What are your institution's policies/procedures for students who either use a different name or change their legal name/gender while attending your institution?

• How will your "front-line" handle students making appointments/checking in with names not on their school records?
• How do you take roll call on the first day of class?
• How does your online classroom display names of students on discussion boards, etc?

Trans* Resources for Higher Ed Professionals:

Students may use gender-inclusive pronouns

When Asked:

"Why haven't you sought treatment for your mental health in the last year?"

• What are your institution's policies/procedures in using gender neutral pronouns in course work/papers/etc.?
• Do you have all students state their PGPs during the first day of class?
• What if you use the wrong pronoun?

Campus Pride - Trans Policy, Best Practices and Trans Checklist for Institutions

http://www.campuspride.org/tpc

LGBTQ* Student Group with

Faculty/Staff Advisor(s)

Visible Trans resources

for faculty, staff and students

Name and Gender Change on Records and Documents

Gender inclusive restrooms

Educating About Trans People

Gender-Inclusive teaching, guest lectures and discussions

Best Practices to a Trans Friendly Campus...

Mandy's modified version of Campus Prides' 6 Best Practices for the

Illinios Institute of Art - Schaumberg

GLAAD - Tips for Allies of Transgender People

http://www.glaad.org/transgender/allies

Trans* Resources in Illinois:

Beemyn, G., Belyeu, N. & Windmeyer, S. (2014). Supporting Transgender Students in Higher Education [PowerPoint slides/Webinar]. Retrieved from http://resources.kognito.com/Webinar/Supporting_Transgender_Slides.pdf.

Campus Pride. (March 23, 2014). Campus Pride Trans Policy Clearinghouse. Retrieved from http://www.campuspride.org/tpc/

Grant, Jaime M., Lisa A. Mottet, Justin Tanis, Jack Harrison, Jody L. Herman, and Mara Keisling. Injustice at Every Turn: A Report of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey. Washington: National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, 2011.

Greytak, E. A., Kosciw, J. G., and Diaz, E. M. (2009). Harsh Realities: The Experiences of Transgender Youth in Our Nation’s Schools. New York: GLSEN.

Joslin, J. (2007). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Students. Advising Special Student Populations: Adult Learners, Community College Students, LGBTQ Students, Multicultural Students, Students on Probation, Undecided Students. NACADA Monograph Series Number 17, 2007. pages 87-95.

Kosciw, J. G., Greytak, E. A., Bartkiewicz, M. J., Boesen, M. J., & Palmer, N. A. (2012). The 2011 National School Climate Survey: The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth in our nation’s schools. New York: GLSEN.

Lindenberg, M. (2012). Transgender Students: Seven Recommendations for Academic Advisors. Retrieved from the NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site: http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Clearinghouse/View-Articles/Advising-issues-for-transgender-students.aspx

Students may feel uncomfortable with gender specific spaces & places*

Presentation Resources

ACLU - Transgender People and the Law

https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/transgender-people-and-law

People providing services aren't sensitive to:

"cultural issues" - 15%

"sexual identity issues" - 45.5%

"I worry someone will notify my parents" - 28.8%

• What are your institution's policies for facility use?

* including (but not limited to) bathrooms, locker rooms, gender-specific housing

Chicago Gender Society

http://www.chicagogender.com/Default.htm

The Stonewall Center at UMass Amherst

http://www.umass.edu/stonewall/transhand/

• Where are your gender-neutral facilities on campus?
• What activities do you do in your courses that may affect a students' level of comfort?

PFLAG Illinois - Parents of Transgender Meetings

http://www.pflagillinois.org/

Howard Brown Health Center - Services for Trans People

http://www.howardbrown.org/hb_services.asp?id=2702

Illinois Transgender Organizations

http://www.genderadvocates.org/links/illinois_tg.html