About the TG/TS

Human Rights Office: Transgender/Transsexual: Information and Resources: Introduction

Queen's University Transgender/Transsexual Policy Group 1998 - 1999

The Human Rights Office established the Transgender/Transsexual Policy Group (TG/TS Policy Group) in September 1998. The committee was initially developed to formulate guidelines and recommend policies that would result in the residence system being available to, and comfortable for, transgendered (trans-identified) students and staff. The group is coordinated by the Anti-Heterosexism Coordinator (Human Rights Office), with representatives from Residences administration and live-in staff, the transgender community, faculty, and the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs. Announcement of the existence of the group (through campus print media, inter-campus newsletters, electronic networks, Alumni Affairs) generated considerable positive, as well as some critical, feedback.

Over the year, the group educated its members on transgender issues, examined critical areas in residences, investigated work being done at other universities, and identified and compiled resources. Changes for residence application materials were suggested to the Residence Office. Residences subsequently modified the 1999 application forms (removed the "male or female" designation to allow greater flexibility in specifying gender); and included transgender in the Residence Life brochure (section titled, "Special Considerations"). A group member presented a workshop focused on the Policy Group and transgender issues at the CACUSS conference in June of this year. Feedback was reported to be uniformly positive and Queen's was applauded at the closing plenary for its pioneering work in this area. A resource package, initially developed for the workshop by Kathy Beers, was amended for distribution this fall to all coordinators and dons in Queen's residences. We are grateful to the office of the Dean of Student Affairs for absorbing the printing costs.

The focus of the Policy Group for the coming year is support services. To that end, representatives from additional key services on campus were invited to sit on the committee; including, representatives from the Chaplain's Office and Health, Counseling and Disability Services. The service needs of transgendered staff, students and faculty and the needs of services in relation to transgender issues will be examined. The group is currently developing a pamphlet on transgender issues and transphobia for general campus distribution.

November 1999.