The Justice

Simon said TransBrandeis began as an "interest group" under Triskelion, but was recently recognized as its own entity, though still under Triskelion. Other groups under Triskelion include the Queer Resource Center, PRIDE, the social activities arm and OUTreach, the political activism and awareness group.

"We chose recognition over being chartered because we didn't want to split with Trisk; we didn't want to be competing for the same funds," Simon, who will serve as the TransBrandeis director on next year's Trisk board, said.

"Now that we have changed the non-discrimination policy, we have official backing to do some of the things we've been wanting to do," Simon said.

Simon said TransBrandeis plans to work on hiring a staff person who will address queer issues on campus and provide counseling and support for queer students. The group also hopes to work with the University on creating a minor in gender and sexual studies.

Prof. Thomas King (ENG), who serves as a resource for queer students on campus, said he feels proud of TransBrandeis' accomplishment.

"The language and wording in their proposal is something they did themselves; they did it much better than I could have done it," King said. "It was a wonderfully provocative and powerful proposal which they succeeded in getting passed."

King said TransBrandeis has made "amazing changes in the campus environment around issues of gender and sexual diversity" over the last few years, including bringing an increased presence of language and visibility to gender variance and transgender or transsexual individuals on campus.

"Many more people are finding the category 'queer' to be a category that empowers them in ways that are new and exciting. So that really all has to be credited to what they have done," King said.

With the change in policy, Simon said the administration is saying that protecting this group from discrimination is important. Now, Simon hopes the University will make other queer issues a priority.

"They kind of have to step up now," Simon said. "Right now it's very difficult to be a trans student on campus, and most students aren't out about being trans."

< prev Page 2 of 2

Article Tools