During LGBT+ History Month we acknowledge all persons who identify as a part of the LGBT+ community and encourage our staff and students to learn how we can be more inclusive.
LGBT is shorthand for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. The ‘LGB’ in this term refers to an identified sexual orientation; whereas ‘T’ stands for transgender or gender non-conforming, and is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity or gender expression does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.
Cherry Smyth, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, has taught several transgender students over the past five years, and is now working with them to showcase their writing and tell their stories during this month of trans awareness.
The Trans w/rites event will be hosted on Teams on Tuesday 23 February 5pm – 6.30pm. Through the support of the LGBT+ Staff Community, the students will share their experience of being trans at the university, and celebrate the exciting and progressive realities of trans life through their writing.
In this article, Cherry helps to raise our awareness about transgender inclusivity and provides an insight into what we can expect at this event.
Transgender Inclusivity: the ‘they’ of the ‘we’
Cherry Smyth, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing
Pronouns: she/her
Over the past five years I have taught transgender students and although I have been involved in queer activism for several decades, I was not au fait with the latest terminology around transgender representation and found that cisgendered students were struggling too. It was clear that a positive attitude was not enough. As one transgender activist put it, there’s a difference between being okay with, and embracing the transgender community. In 2018, I organised a Trans Awareness Panel and discussion on campus to help provide a safe and secure space at Greenwich and inform myself and others about transgender inclusivity.
To celebrate LGBTQI+ History Month, trans writing students are taking part in an event organised by the LGBT+ Staff Community to promote awareness and acceptance of transgender people. They will read their own poetry and prose and discuss their experience of being trans on campus. There will be a chance to ask questions and learn more in a Q&A.
We had a rehearsal yesterday and the students spoke about which fictional character helped them to come out as trans. It was very moving.
Did you know that the number transitioning has increased tenfold over the past six years and one study suggests that LGBTQI+ students are twice as likely to be harassed on campus than heterosexual or gender-conforming students?
Do you use respectful language that does not offend and creates belonging? For instance, trans people prefer the pronoun ‘they’ and also choose gender-free relational pronouns like ‘spouse’ or ‘partner’ rather than ‘boyfriend’ or ‘wife.’ It is more inclusive to refer to ‘all’ genders rather than ‘both’.
I found an indispensable glossary in Can I Tell You About Gender Diversity? by CJ Atkinson, which explains terms from ‘cisgender’ and ‘non-binary’ to ‘transitioning’ and ‘gender fluid’. Resources such the factsheet ‘Transition of a Student in University’ by GIRES (Gender Identity, Research and Education Society) are also highly informative.
Further Reading
Atkinson, C.J., Can I Tell You About Gender Diversity? (London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2017)
Dewitt, P., Dignity for All: Safeguarding LGBT Students (California: Sage Publications, 2012, p. 234)
Hope, J., ‘Encourage an Atmosphere that’s Comfortable for Trans Students’, Dean & Provost, Vol. 17, Issue 4, 2015 Dec
Whittle, S. in Trans Voices, Henry, D. ed., (London: Squirrel Publishing, 2016) p.11
