G.W. Argues Over Transgender Rights
Posted by Amanda Hess on Apr. 16, 2009, at 3:38 pm
http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2009/04/16/gw-argues-over-transgender-rights/ (http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/sexist/2009/04/16/gw-argues-over-transgender-rights/)
George Washington University student group Trans Education and Advocacy (TEA) is spearheading the campaign to add "gender expression and identity" as a protected group in the university's non-discrimination policy. In 2006, "gender expression and identity" became a protected group under the District of Columbia's Human Rights Act, but the university's policy has since failed to follow suit.
G.W.'s non-discrimination policy currently reads:"The University will not permit discrimination on grounds of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or identity, or any other illegal basis in any University-recognized area of student life." Even though "gender expression and identity" is officially incorporated into the university policy under D.C. law, the lack of explicit wording at the university level can make filing grievances with the University Police Department and school administrators very, very difficult (review my G.W. transgender discrimination story, "Menace to Sorority," for a refresher).