Virginia Tech announced a policy change last week which will protect transgender individuals as part of the school’s comprehensive anti-discriminatory statement.
Five state universities in Virginia have policies banning discrimination against transgender students, faculty and staff. According to an online survey administered by the Roanoke Times, nondiscriminatory policies at the College of William & Mary, James Madison University, Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University specifically include protection for gender identity and expression.
Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao sent an email this week to students, staff and faculty announcing the school’s intention to broaden its non-discrimination statute to include gender identity, which would expand protection to transgender people. The new language must be approved by the university's Board of Visitors before it is officially adopted.
There is no policy currently in place at the University prohibiting discrimination against transgender and gender identity.
In January 2014, Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed “Executive Order Number 1: Prohibiting Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity,” preventing discrimination at the state government level. This order, however, does not necessarily extend to institutions such as state universities. Though some schools have adopted protections for gender identity and expression, they are not legally required to.
“The idea percolated up from student groups, faculty groups and administration groups,” Virginia Tech Provost Mark McNamee said. “The students were especially active in proposing this and advocating for it.”
The proposal passed through a committee, the school's University Council consisting of students, faculty and staff, and finally through the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
“It had terrific support,” McNamee said. “People feel really good about the University taking a very proactive step.”
McNamee said he was unaware of any incidents regarding discrimination against transgender students, faculty or staff at Virginia Tech, but he said the student body expressed a desire to proactively prevent an issue from arising. The policy seems to be as much an effort to support diversity as it is a protection of a particular group of people.
“We are implementing a new model for inclusion and diversity,” McNamee said. “We are in the process now of developing how it will operate this year and what it will accomplish.”
McNamee said he hopes other universities will follow suit.
The University’s anti-discriminatory policy protects several characteristics and statuses, but gender identity and expression are not included among these.
“I’m very proud of our Virginia Tech friends for really paving the way for such decision making in the state of Virginia,” LGBTQ Student Services Coordinator Scott Rheinheimer said.
Resources available to transgender students, faculty and staff at the University include the LGBTQ Center, men's and women’s counseling, an anonymous and confidential telephone help line and support groups.
“Speaking from the student perspective, to know that your university not only supports you but that they’ll put it in writing is really important,” Rheinheimer said.
A subcommittee group in the LGBTQ Center was formed this semester to focus specifically on transgender issues at the University. The committee includes student and staff representatives.
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