Simple things you can do TODAY to make your classroom/office more LGBTQI-friendly:

Educate yourself: see the attached list of terms commonly used to describe people identifying as LGBTQI. Suggested books and videos to come; for now, check out the DEC or our Diverse Sexualities teachers for suggestions! FOR INSTRUCTORS: y

Please think about a variety of ways to take attendance. Some students do

not have gender identities that match their registration names, causing awkwardness and humiliation when assumptions are made by the instructor or classmates about the individual s gender identity. One suggestion is to ask students to make a sign-in sheet indicating the name they would like to be called in class and their Preferred Gender Pronoun or anything else you need to know about them.

Make it clear in your syllabus and in person that all people must be respected in class. As the instructor, you have the ultimate control over the climate of
the classroom. If you make a mistake calling a student he when you re not sure if the person is a he or she --can be rectified by privately checking in with the student, acknowledging the awkwardness, and addressing the situation up front. You might tell them something like: I made an assumption about your gender identity, and I just wanted to check in with you. How would you like to be addressed in class? Most transgendered or asexual people are well aware that many people are uncomfortable with ambiguity about gender, and most will appreciate your honesty and respectful attempt to find out how they would like to be identified.

Try to stay away from using gendered pronouns by referring to people by name (or, before you learn names, by saying this person or this individual. )

IN OFFICE SETTINGS:

Set the tone for your office by modeling acceptance of all people. y Be on the lookout for harassment in your office. Interrupt bias when you see it and offer assistance to the victim. y Inform people when demographic information is optional. For example, if
y they do not need to select male or female.

y Address people the way they would like to be addressed. Try to stay away
from this lady or gentleman when describing a person (you can say, this student or This individual, or if possible, use their name.) Make a card for your office or counter saying:

We welcome and respect all people. Please let us know how you would like to be addressed. (or similar language.) This can signify to LGBTQI people that it is safe to let you know what their gender identity is, should they wish or have occasion to share it. The Office of Diversity and Equity is working on some front desk cards that you can use as you see fit. y

Be sensitive to safety issues. Using the restroom is a situation that is

uncomfortable, awkward, or even frightening for LGBTQI students. Many report harassment in public restrooms. Familiarize students with locations of the gender-neutral restrooms (building 22, near the counseling center, Bldg 21, family restroom ), or help students find a safe and private option if they are far away from those locations.