NatSci-CDC: Increasing transgender visibility on campus
March 2019
To the NatSci Community:
This past Sunday was the International Day of Transgender Visibility and we, the members of the College of Natural Science Council on Diversity and Community, would like our college to reflect on how visibility of minoritized groups is essential to changing our campus culture. While many of us are scientists, no science is needed to support transgender and non-binary identities, it is simply a matter of affirming their experiences. Affirming transgender and gender-diverse individuals means increasing visibility within the college and being committed to freeing our environment of transphobia. We invite every member of the NatSci community to improve their understanding and support of the transgender and non-binary communities through education and action:
Know about local resources and their events:
Salus Center: An LGBTQ Resource & Community Center
Learn about and start using singular they
Invite Transgender and gender-diverse scientists to speak to your units
Read about the experiences of transgender scientists:
The Autobiography of a Transgender Scientist by Ben Barres
Learn about the transphobia citizens face
Learn about how race influences transphobia
It is essential that we work together to create an environment where all members of the NatSci community feel valued and respected. Increasing the visibility of individuals from minoritized groups and educating ourselves on their lived experiences are necessary components of creating an inclusive NatSci environment.
Sincerely,
The NatSci Council on Diversity and Community