Bathrooms

Gendered bathroom facilities can cause problems for people who do not identify as male or female, and for people whose right to use a particular gendered bathroom may be contested. To address the safety and emotional health needs of transgender members of the Brandeis community, we aim to increase the number of single-occupancy unisex restrooms on campus.

It is not our intention to have all campus facilities designated non-gendered. We recognize that some Brandeis community members' personal or religious beliefs make them uncomfortable using non-gendered facilities. We will always safeguard these people's rights to safe facilities as well.

In Fall 2005, TransBrandeis members surveyed most of the bathrooms on campus, showing an astoundingly small number of transgender-friendly facilties. In consultation with Jean Eddy and Mark Collins, we have received promises of support, but no actual facilities changes since then, even though in many cases a simple change of signage would make the bathroom safe.

In Fall 2007, TransBrandeis began a more detailed survey of the bathrooms on campus, taking note of the feasibility of change, and accessibility for people with physical disabilities. When the results of this survey are in, we will resume contact with facilities with a clear plan of what changes need to be made. To find out more about the survey, click here.

Housing

People with a gender identity different from their legal sex may get stuck in gender-inappropriate housing. Transgender community members need to have their basic housing needs met, which include respectful treatment and the ability to choose a single-occupancy room.

Residence Life has been receptive to our suggestions, including specific statements for transgender students in room selection materials and first-year housing forms. ResLife is currently working on a gender-neutral housing option for upperclassmen, and making bathroom gender-designation policies trans-friendly (Winter '07).

However, first-year housing options are currently limited. TransBrandeis has recommended QRC dorm raps for all first-year halls, as well as training on gender issues for Orientaton Leaders and Community Advisors.

Language and Pronouns

For people with gender identities different from their legally-assigned sex, pronoun usage is a complicated matter. A large part of social interaction is gender-based, and an important part of social transition for transgender, transsexual, and genderqueer people is a decision about which pronouns to use to describe themselves. Some individuals use pronouns that may seem inconsistent with their appearance, and some use gender-neutral pronouns (eg. "ze" & "hir"), which some people may not have encountered before.

TransBrandeis has made efforts to advocate for the use of inclusive language in all University publications, such as Rights and Responsibilities, Teaching Assistant and Teaching Fellow handbooks, Health Center forms, department mission statements, programs utilized by the Hiatt Career Center, and more. Thus far, most of these locations have yet to make the necessary changes to be inclusive of people of all genders.

Medical Care and Coverage

Part of creating a safe and inclusive University space for gender-variant people in our community includes ensuring adequate medical coverage and sensitive care.

TransBrandeis has made strides in this area, changing health center intake and gynecology forms to better include transgender (and gay, lesbian, and bisexual) community members. As of Fall 2007, the University's health insurance policy with Harvard Pilgrim covers office visits, lab tests, and hormone treatment for transgender students. (See page 16.) The health center is explicitly trans-friendly.

We are currently working with the Health Center to ensure that staff members at all levels participate in gender-related trainings (Spring '07).

Mental Health

Transgender students have the same mental health needs as other students, with the addition of significant identity concerns and changing social relations. Therapy is a common way for transgender individuals to explore their identities and is in fact required by some medical programs.

The Mailman Psychological Counseling Center currently has no one on staff who is trained specifically to deal with transgender issues, or even GLB issues, as of Fall 2008. The counseling center states on its website that it is able to deal with GLBT issues. However, this is not true for everyone; there are counselors who are well-trained and counselors who have not been trained in these issues. For a referral to a specific counselor at Mailman, please contact Trisk's QRC Several transgender students have had problems trying to get counseling at Mailman - see Marcus Simon's transition log for one example.

TransBrandeis is dedicated to working to improve the mental health services available to gender-variant members of the Brandeis community.

Education

All campus offices need to understand the identities and needs of gender-variant individuals in order to efficiently and safely provide services to all Brandeis community members, regardless of gender identity or expression. The offices and organizations that most immediately need gender-based training are Public Safety, BEMCo, Orientation Leaders, and Community Advisors.

It is also vital that First-Year Orientation and hall programming be inclusive of people of all genders, and provide opportunities for students to become familiar with gender variance. Safe space training is important for Community Advisors, Orientation Leaders, and members of public offices at Brandeis so that students have clearly-defined safe places to talk about gender- and/or sexuality-related issues.

Visibility

We aim to familiarize the Brandeis community with the experiences of transgender people, and to encourage discussion and education on a large scale. TransBrandeis has organized events such as visits by S. Bear Bergman, Kate Bornstein, and Athens Boy Choir, as well as a screening of Transgeneration.

This component of TransBrandeis often has to take a backseat to other agenda items focused on institutional change, as this burden currently rests solely on students. We hope to transfer some of the responsibility for institutional change to the shoulders of administrators so that TransBrandeis can host events and venues like other student clubs at Brandeis. Included in this effort is Trisk's ongoing work in obtaining a university staff person for LGBT advocacy and education.