Transgender Student Support

Critical Issues and the College StudentTherese M. Jacques and Luis H. Garay

April 2015

"When I was 14, I learned what transgender meant and cried of happiness. After 10 years of confusion I finally understood who I was. I immediately told my mom, and she reacted extremely negatively, telling me that it was a phase, that I would never truly be a girl, that God doesn't make mistakes, that I am wrong. If you are reading this, parents, please don't tell this to your kids. Even if you are Christian or are against transgender people don't ever say that to someone, especially your kid. That won't do anything but make them hate them self. That's exactly what it did to me."

Leelah Alcorn, 2014

“It is a terrifying prospect to disclose the self-discovery that one’s anatomy and inner experience do not align.” (February 2015)

“Supporting clients through gender identity issues (February 2015)

“Meeting the needs of transgender clients” (March 2015)

“Embracing the ongoing push for progress” (April 2014)

American Counseling Association

Counseling Today

Transgender Individuals – oppressed and least supported population; transphobia

41% of Transgender Individuals have attempted suicide (Source: The Williams Institute)

More than 25 times the attempted suicide rate of general population

2012 - 53% anti-LGBTQ homicide victims were trans women (Source: The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP))

5%, 18-29 Transgender individuals out of work; 14% of trans individuals are unemployed, compared to the 7% general population (Source: A Broken Bargain for Transgender Workers, 2013)

Critical Issues

Trans people of color have some of the highest health disparities (low income, difficulty accessing mental health care)

LGBTQ people of color high risk for physical and mental health problems

By February 20th this past year, 7 trans women of color had been murdered, that is

one murder per week

“The average life expectancy for a black transgender woman is 35 years.” –

BlackLivesMatter.com

Critical Issues

Information on Sexual assault among LGBTQ scarce

64% Transgender individuals experienced sexual assault in their lifetime (Source: National Transgender Discrimination Survey)

73% of LGBTQ students reported experiencing sexual harassment, compared with 61% of non-LGBTQ (Source: American Association of University Women)

Nearly half of all bisexual men have experienced a type of sexual violence besides rape

Nearly half of all bisexual women have experienced rape in their lifetime (Source: The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey )

Sexual Assault on Campus

Transgender/Non-Conforming Resource Guide

Equal Opportunity/Non-Discrimination LGBTQ Resource Center

(Unique/Jesuit/GU) Bias Reporting System Housing Restrooms Assistance w/name/gender changes on

campus records and email Resources: Counseling, Wellness,

Education

Best Practices

LGBTQ Support Group (Implemented 3/15) Education Posters/Residence Halls/BSC Continued education/dialogue across campus Central Office/Resource for

Transgender/LGBTQ Students SLUQ Resource Guide for LGBTQ Preferred pronouns – commitment to

inclusivity MCHBS – include LGBTQ section LGBTQ focus group SLU host IgnatianQ Institutional Membership to Consortium of

Higher Education Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Professionals

Recommendations for SLU

“Men and Woman for others….”

Cura Personalis – care for uniqueness/individual person

Advocate for a more inclusive paradigm

Ally; understand basics of the language surrounding transgender issues

Social Justice

“Please fix society” How would SLU

support a individual that identifies as transgender?

Leelah Alcorn, 2014

Questions?