News and Events => Education news => Topic started by: Shana A on May 17, 2008, 05:21:10 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Transgenders get third gender status in colleges
Post by: Shana A on May 17, 2008, 05:21:10 PM
Post by: Shana A on May 17, 2008, 05:21:10 PM
Transgenders get third gender status in colleges
Amutha Kannan
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/18/stories/2008051850210100.htm (http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/18/stories/2008051850210100.htm)
COIMBATORE: Arts and science colleges in the city are as usual busy issuing applications for admission to undergraduate courses. But what is novel this year is the inclusion of 'transgender' as the third gender in applications, in addition to 'male' and 'female'. This comes on the heels of the decision of the State Government to include them as the third gender in family cards.
Amutha Kannan
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/18/stories/2008051850210100.htm (http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/18/stories/2008051850210100.htm)
COIMBATORE: Arts and science colleges in the city are as usual busy issuing applications for admission to undergraduate courses. But what is novel this year is the inclusion of 'transgender' as the third gender in applications, in addition to 'male' and 'female'. This comes on the heels of the decision of the State Government to include them as the third gender in family cards.
Title: Re: Transgenders get third gender status in colleges
Post by: Lokaeign on May 21, 2008, 05:41:01 PM
Post by: Lokaeign on May 21, 2008, 05:41:01 PM
Obviously I think its great that there's this third choice (because that would be my preferred tickybox), but if that box is labelled "transgender" that kind of raises questions. What about people for whom the binary choices are correct, but who have trans history or are currently in a transitional stage? Would they feel excluded, or potentially "lumped in" with a group they feel they don't belong to?
The inclusion of a third box also implies a recognition by the schools that other genders besides the binary exist, and that's good. But how far does that recognition go? Will there be sensitivity training for staff? Will there be support for students? What about unisex facilities? What measures are in place to deal with harrassment? It's all very well encouraging non cisgendered people to enrol, but if these young people are not going to be given adequate help and support they might simply be harrassed off their courses.
The inclusion of a third box also implies a recognition by the schools that other genders besides the binary exist, and that's good. But how far does that recognition go? Will there be sensitivity training for staff? Will there be support for students? What about unisex facilities? What measures are in place to deal with harrassment? It's all very well encouraging non cisgendered people to enrol, but if these young people are not going to be given adequate help and support they might simply be harrassed off their courses.
Title: Re: Transgenders get third gender status in colleges
Post by: Suzy on May 21, 2008, 06:49:57 PM
Post by: Suzy on May 21, 2008, 06:49:57 PM
Maybe I read it wrong. I'm not sure. But why would there not be four choices? Do they think that all TG people are MTF? Or do you check your presenting gender and then check the TG box is applicable?
I applaud the effort, it is a step in the right direction, but I do not wish to be known as a third gender. I just want to be who I really am.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi
I applaud the effort, it is a step in the right direction, but I do not wish to be known as a third gender. I just want to be who I really am.
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fganjataz.com%2F01smileys%2Fimages%2Fsmileys%2FloopyBlonde-blinking.gif&hash=4545ddf8251cf9c32ae6074d56e48bc34a755857)Kristi