[news] UM Senate Assembly Supports Gender Identity Addition to Discrimination Bylaws

As we originally reported here, the UM Senate Assembly (the governing body of the university faculty) had under consideration an amendment to the bylaws which would add "gender expression and identity" to the list of categories protected against discrimination. We're happy to report that the amendment passed: 27-3.

[edit]
The original post was slightly confusing. This is just a resolution by the Senate Assembly (which represents the faculty). The Board of Regents must still vote on the amendment to the bylaws. The amendment has been before the Regents since Summer of '04. We hope that this show of support by the faculty will help the Regents see how important this provision is to our community.

Senate Resolution Concerning Gender Identity and Gender Expression

Whereas transgender persons are vulnerable to discrimination, harassment, and violence;

Whereas student groups have rallied to influence the University Administration and the Board of Regents to include "gender expression and gender identity" in the list of categories protected against discrimination;

Whereas the University Administration has responded to these pressures by including "gender identity and gender expression" as a footnote to the category of "sex" in SPG 201.35;

Whereas gender identity and gender expression are not conceptual sub-categories of sex as presently stated in the University’s non-discrimination policies;

Whereas 52 colleges and universities across the United States have to date changed their nondiscrimination policies to include gender identity and gender expression as protected categories;

Whereas the University of Michigan faculty have not yet spoken in support of these changes through its governing structure of the Senate Assembly;

Therefore the Senate Assembly resolves that the University of Michigan Regents Bylaw 14.06 should be changed to include "gender identity" and "gender expression" as categories in the nondiscrimination policy statement.

Be it also resolved that Standard Practice Guide policy on non-discrimination (201.35) should be changed to include "gender identity" and "gender expression" with all other categories in this SPG, and NOT as a footnote to "sex" as presently written.

Be it also resolved that the Standard Practice Guide preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation (601.6) should be broadened to include "gender identity" and "gender expression" as categories protected by this policy.

Attachments:

Regents Bylaws 14.06

SPG 201.35

SPG 601.6

(lovingly stolen from this post on life, law, and gender blog)