Workshop

I just got back from a conference in Massachusetts; as usual there was a snow storm. It seems like every year when they have the conference it snows and this year it kept up the tradition. I had planned on driving up in the morning for my 10 o’clock workshop but with the forecast I decided to drive up the night before and friends in Haverhill invited me to stay over at their house. This morning when I left their house at 7:30 there was about 2 inches on the ground, the roads were slushy and the state lowered the speed limit to 40 mph.

When I got there at a quarter of 9 I registered and meet my co-presenter, we then rehearsed the presentation. Our workshop was transitioning at college but somehow the title was changed to employment transition in colleges. We had only 4 people attend the workshop but two were parents of a trans child and they were worried about their child who was applying to colleges. One person just about took over the workshop and we had to moderate the discussion so that everyone had a chance to talk.

I attended one other workshop before lunch and then had lunch with a friend. After lunch I bumped into a friend who was going to come up with me in the morning, but with the change in plans he had to drive up on his own in the storm. I left right after lunch and the ride home wasn’t bad, just wet.

Here is my handout for the workshop,

Some basic information:

• Connecticut is a Common Law state (Custer v. Bonadies… “The court therefore concludes that the common-law right of a person to use a name…”) this means that you have the right to use any name you want to use.

• Connecticut has a gender identity & expression non-discrimination law (PA11-55)

• Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities has an excellent resource booklet call “Guidelines for Schools on Gender Identity and Expression” that is available on-line. It is for secondary schools but it also applies to universities and colleges.

• MA Department of Education: Guidance for Massachusetts Public Schools: Creating a Safe and Supportive School Environment: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity

• Title IX coverage includes gender identity and expression

• U.S. Dept. of ED, Office of Civil Rights: Dear Colleague

• UConn “Gender Transition Guidelines” provides very good information about your rights and how to access services.

• Health Insurance coverage includes healthcare for us including hormones and GCS.

• Housing

• Gender Neutral Housing is available

• Housing in preferred gender housing is also available

• Housing Services can work with to provide the accommodations that you want

• Under federal law you determine who sees your school records (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)).

Tips:

• Get to know the Rainbow Center

• Preferred name – you can request that your email and other documents use your preferred name … beware, if you are not out to your parents or friends your email address will out you. (first.last@uconn.edu)

• You might want to talk to your professors before the semester begins if you don’t want to change your documents to your preferred name.

• Become involved on campus – join clubs, intermural sports, student government, concerts, theater, become a RA, etc. 

• Jobs on campus are usually binary and use legal names and SS#.

• NCAA sports has a trans policy for allowing trans people to play on the team of their gender identity.

• Your ID picture is used on the student roster so make sure it is your preferred gender. 

• It is a good idea to call housing services of the university/college where you are applying so that you can find out about campus housing for trans people. They can provide you with information on privacy needs regarding the bathroom and bedroom.

I know many of us do not want to “Out” ourselves but sometimes it makes life easier for us. By working with school officials they can help make your transition easier and provide a more rewarding college experience.