HR Note - September 2008

Gender Transition

           Valencia Community College Policy 6Hx28:02-01, Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity, states that Valencia Community College strives to be a learning community in which individuals can study and work in an atmosphere free of harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, or intimidation. Every person should be treated fairly and with respect. The scope of this policy includes gender identity and expression and discrimination against transgender individuals is prohibited.

            As an emerging area of interest and concern to employers and educational institutions in America, extending protection to transgender students and employees presents new challenges and opportunities for education. In fact, as of May 2006, 82 companies in the Fortune 500 include gender identity in their written non-discrimination policies to address discrimination against transgender workers.

            A lack of knowledge about transgender issues has the potential for creating misunderstanding and tension amongst students, faculty and staff. However, all members of and visitors to Valencia Community College are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with Valencias equal opportunity and harassment policies. The following information is provided in an attempt to educate and promote a positive working and learning environment for all.

            The term "gender identity", separate from the term "sexual orientation" refers to a person's innate, deeply felt psychological identification as male or female, which may or may not correspond to a persons body or designated sex at birth.

            The term "sexual orientation" is the preferred term used when referring to an individual's physical and/or emotional attraction to the same and/or opposite gender. "Heterosexual", "Bisexual" and "Homosexual" are all sexual orientations. A person's sexual orientation is distinct from a persons gender identity.

            The term "transgender" refers to a broad range of people who experience and/or express their gender differently from what most people expect - either in terms of expressing a gender that does not match the sex listed on their original birth certificate or physically changing their sex. It is an umbrella term that includes people who are transsexual, cross-dressers, or otherwise gender non-conforming. Not all people who consider themselves, or may be considered by others as, transgender will undergo a physical gender transition.

            "Gender expression" refers to all of the external characteristics and behaviors that are socially defined as either masculine or feminine, such as dress, grooming, mannerisms, speech patterns and social interactions. Social or cultural norms can vary widely and some characteristics that may be accepted as masculine, feminine or neutral in one culture may not be assessed similarly in another.

            The term "transitioning" refers to the process through which a person modifies his or her physical characteristics and/or manner of gender expression to be consistent with his or her gender identity. This transition may include hormone therapy, sex-reassignment surgery and/or other components and is generally conducted under medical supervision based on a set of standards developed by medical professionals. The transition process typically includes a one-year "real-life experience" in which the individual lives and presents consistently with their gender identity under medical supervision.

            A "transsexual person", has changed, or is in the process of changing, his or her physical and/or legal sex to conform to his or her internal sense of gender identity. The term can also be used to describe people who, without undergoing medical treatment, identify and live their lives full-time as a member of the gender opposite their birth sex. Transsexuals transitioning from male to female are often referred to as "MTF's". Similarly, female-to-male transsexuals are frequently called "FTM's".

            A "Cross-dresser" wears the clothing and/or accoutrements, such as makeup and accessories that are considered by society to correspond to the "opposite sex". Unlike transsexuals, cross-dressers typically do not seek to change their physical characteristics and/or manner of expression permanently or desire to live full-time as the opposite gender. Cross-dressers are sometimes called transvestites, but that term is considered degrading by some.

            Valencia Community College has the right to regulate student and employee appearance and behavior at the College for reasonable educational and business purposes. A transsexual student or employee is permitted to dress consistently with his or her gender identity and is required to comply with the same standards of dress and appearance as apply to all other students and employees.

            Access issues related to restrooms and other sex-segregated facilities (i.e. locker rooms) will be handled with sensitivity not only to Valencia Community Colleges obligation to provide transitioning individuals with the same level of facilities access available to all others, but also to the responses of other members of the College. Transgender students and employees will be permitted to use the facilities that correspond to their gender identity. A transitioning student or employee will not be required to use the restroom of his or her designated sex at birth after he or she has begun transitioning.

            In everyday written and oral speech, a transitioning individual's new name and pronoun should be used when the individual is ready. If a person is transitioning and you are not certain which pronoun to use, it is appropriate to respectfully ask his or her name and which pronoun is preferred. Generally, it is considered insensitive to refer to someone by the wrong pronoun once it is established which pronoun he or she prefers.

            The decision as to when and how to begin the real-life experience remains the individuals choice. An employee beginning the transition process should contact his or her immediate supervisor and Human Resources while a student should contact their respective campus Dean of Students and be prepared to educate them about his or her intentions, needs and concerns.

            Faculty, staff and students who have concerns regarding the change in appearance of a transsexual individual or if they have concerns with a transsexual persons usage of a restroom or other sex-segregated facility should consult Valencia Community Colleges equal opportunity policy, harassment policy and other related policies or contact the Valencia Community College Office of Compliance, Diversity & Equity in the Human Resources Department. All members of Valencia Community College are reminded of the importance of relating cooperatively to others regardless of their gender identity and failure to do so could result in corrective action, including termination of their employment or dismissal from the College.



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