Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender Resource Center

Gender Identity & Expression

Addressing issues of gender identity and expression across campus is an important priority for the LBGT Resource Center. Gender identity has been added to MSU's anti-discrimination policy, but what exactly does that mean? There is more work to be done.

• trans gender/sex definitions, resources
• unisex bathroom list

The state of GID at State

On Friday, April 13, 2007 the Michigan State University Board of Trustees voted unanimously to add 'gender identity' as a protected category in the University's Anti-Discrimination Policy (ADP). With this revision, MSU joins the majority of Big Ten universities whose anti-discrimination policies already contain gender identity, including the University of Iowa, the University of Michigan, The Ohio State University, the University of Minnesota, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the University of Illinois and Pennsylvania State University.

The change follows the work done by the Second Ad Hoc Gender Identity Committee, which released its full report during spring term 2007. This report was endorsed unanimously by both Faculty Council (March 13) and Academic Council (March 20).

Gender information

Background information.

• GenderPac:
  • 50 under 30: Masculinity and the War on America's Youth (PDF)
  • Gender Rights: The New Edge of Workplace Fairness (PDF)
  • 2006 GENIUS Index (Gender Equality National Index for Universities and Schools)
  • other workplace resources
• ACLU
• Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition
• Michigan Federation of Teachers & School Related Personnel resolution
• NACUA Notes on Gender identity and expression issues at colleges and universities
• Transgender Law and Policy Institute
  • Best practices for transgender students
  • College and university policies
• Washington State Human Rights Commission
• Norwegian statement at the UN on human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity
• The Yogyakarta Principles on the Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

What's happening at other universities

This sampling of policies, news articles, press releases and statements focuses on implementation and results of having gender identity added to anti-discrimination policies. (Updated October 2007.)

• Carelton University Gender Equality Policy
• Emory University President's Commission report
• New York University School of Law Statement of Housing Policy Regarding Families (PDF)
• North Carolina State University Chancellor's statement (PDF)
• Oregon State University pilot program in gender inclusive houseing (PDF)
• University of California-Riverside housing policies
• University of California-San Diego UC system GID policies
• University of Massachusetts Campus Transgender Guide
• University of Nottingham draft university gender action plan for staff 2007-2010 (PDF)
• University of Texas-Austin portion (PDF) of Queer Students Alliance State of LGBTQ Affairs report
• University of Wisconsin press release (PDF), Dean of Students
• Washington State University Gender Identity/Expression and Sexual Orientation Center
• Yale University President's statement
• Wesleyan University policies and Student Assembly Gender Neutral Resolution
• Washington Blade article about Ivy League schools