Statement on behalf of the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Department at Grand Valley State University

On October 21st, 2018, the New York Times reported that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the Trump Administration, has proposed reinterpreting our nation’s civil rights law in a way that removes recognition and protection of an estimated 1.4 million Americans who identify as transgender, intersex, non-binary, or gender non-conforming. The proposal would define gender as either male or female, unchangeable, “determined by genitalia at birth,” and to be reinforced by "genetic testing."

This memo represents an attempt to have all federal departments whose work is informed by Title IX (Health and Human Services, Education, Labor, Justice) reinterpret the law so that these groups cannot be protected under Title IX’s prohibition of discrimination on the basis of “sex.” If adopted, this memo could have far-ranging effects on health care provisions under the Affordable Care Act, on funding and practices in higher education, on the rights of incarcerated people, and on protections against sex stereotyping in the workplace. As experts on both sexuality and gender, we wish to remind you that this memo does not represent scientific consensus. Rather, it is the latest in a series of attempts by the current administration to eradicate transgender, intersex, and gender non-conforming people from public life in the United States. 

In response to this memo, we want to firmly state that transgender, Two-Spirit, intersex, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people have existed always and will always exist. Their lived experiences, stories, histories, practices, and theories have made significant and positive contributions to this world. There is not an institution, policy, or nation that can determine otherwise.

As a department committed to understanding systems of gender and sexuality, generating and applying intersectional feminist and queer perspectives, challenging structural inequalities, and working for social justice, we assert that this proposal runs counter to our core values. To our trans, Two-Spirit, intersex, non-binary, and gender non-conforming faculty colleagues, staff, and students: We want you to know that we support you. We see you. We value you. We need you. You cannot be erased. Your histories and cultures are essential to our GVSU community and to our larger democracy. We recognize the serious impact these measures could have on your lives. If enacted, this proposal would strip members of our community of the most basic human rights to safety and security in public and private spaces, schools, hospitals, clinics, DMVs, prisons, and shelters--among others.

We encourage all members of the GVSU community to remain informed about these proposed changes to our national civil rights protections, which have not yet become law and which will likely be opened for public comment. We also take this moment to publicly recommit ourselves to our mission of working for gender justice: continuing to teach about transgender and queer issues across our curriculum; creating and maintaining inclusive classrooms and working spaces; and standing in solidarity with our transgender, Two-Spirit, intersex, non-binary, and gender non-conforming faculty, staff, and students.

If you would like to get more involved, the following is a partial list of local and national organizations that are working on issues of transgender and intersex discrimination, homelessness, poverty, incarceration, and healthcare:

Locally/Regionally:
HQ
Grand Rapids Trans Foundation
The Red Project
Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center at GVSU
Equality Michigan
Transgender Michigan
Own Your Gender Group at the Grand Rapids Pride Center
Ruth Ellis Center of Detroit
Center on Halsted of Chicago

Nationally:
Trans Lifeline
RAD Remedy
Transgender and Intersex Justice Project
National Center for Transgender Equality
TransJustice at the Audre Lorde Project
Casa Ruby
Sylvia Rivera Law Project
Black and Pink
The Trevor Project