How safe is academia for trans* people?

[Tessa James]

I have been a publicly elected college trustee for 5 years and my community college was completely supportive when I started transition while in office.  I have been able to help change both policy and practice to the point there are now "out" transgender students on campus.  We also dealt with the bathroom issue by creating some that are unisex and lockable.  Our State of Oregon has statewide gender ID and expression protections.  Our college also nominated me to the national trustees diversity group where I am working successfully to change policy at the national level.

I would say, like others here, that academia is one of the very best places to be a transgender person.  I also agree that education is a major part of the solution for the ignorance that surrounds us about transgender people and issues.  Like many colleges we have courses and programs in gender studies, women's studies and even a Lives in Transition program.  Our public college is easily the most respected and supported unit of government in this county.  We don't have to be sports fans to be college boosters

[cindy16]

Thanks Tessa. Good to hear about another positive experience.

[Allison Wunderland]

I have been a publicly elected college trustee for 5 years and my community college was completely supportive when I started transition while in office.  I have been able to help change both policy and practice to the point there are now "out" transgender students on campus.  We also dealt with the bathroom issue by creating some that are unisex and lockable.  Our State of Oregon has statewide gender ID and expression protections.  Our college also nominated me to the national trustees diversity group where I am working successfully to change policy at the national level.

I would say, like others here, that academia is one of the very best places to be a transgender person.  I also agree that education is a major part of the solution for the ignorance that surrounds us about transgender people and issues.  Like many colleges we have courses and programs in gender studies, women's studies and even a Lives in Transition program.  Our public college is easily the most respected and supported unit of government in this county.  We don't have to be sports fans to be college boosters

Retired grad student / instructor at Portland State University, OR -- Yes to the above. Most places have some sort of accommodation for rest facilities. Mostly I just gnash my teeth and use the one where I can stand and swing a gun if it gets out of control. (LMAO, hyperbole . . . )

Dr. Judith Butler, Ph.D. UC Cal, Berkerley, "Literary Crit / Gender Theory" -- best works I've ever picked up on gender, identity, social conventions regarding gender ID.

The academy is on top of this!

[JLT1]

Most of the discussion so far has been around liberal arts. I believe that all to be correct.  However, when one looks at the hard core sciences, the view changes.

The problem doesn't seem to be the University or the policies but in getting grants to fund the research.  In the US and several other countries, transitioning kills the funding. 

Sorry to write that. 

Hugs,


Jen

[barbie]

In the US and several other countries, transitioning kills the funding. 

Sorry to write that. 

Hugs,


Jen

Yes. I agree that it can happen. Fortunately I have never had that problem. I frequently visit governmental offices to provide advice or participate in workshop. Of course, I have never been on HRT, but anyway I transitioned.

barbie~~

[KathyLauren]

I can't say what it is like within an academic institution.  But I was recently at a scientific symposium where the keynote talk was given by a (fairly obviously) transgendered woman. 

What was remarkable was that there was, as far as I could tell, 100% acceptance among the audience.  Lots of people discussed the presentation afterwards.  Not a single comment was about her gender.  All the comments were about what an excellent presentation it had been. 

It seems to me that education is a major factor in acceptance.

[barbie]

I can't say what it is like within an academic institution.  But I was recently at a scientific symposium where the keynote talk was given by a (fairly obviously) transgendered woman. 

What was remarkable was that there was, as far as I could tell, 100% acceptance among the audience.  Lots of people discussed the presentation afterwards.  Not a single comment was about her gender.  All the comments were about what an excellent presentation it had been. 

It seems to me that education is a major factor in acceptance.

I don't know whether it means acceptance or not, but a few people asked me which gender pronouns I prefer to be called. Actually they did not seem to be interested in my gender identity, neither in my other stuffs.

Yes. I sometimes preside or present in a session during international symposiums.



However, I agree that trans* people can get some unfair treatment in funding, especially within a close circle. Some aged people can be very conservative or stubborn.

barbie~~