A small group of University of Idaho faculty have reserved their spot at the “Transgender 101 Staff Training” this week, a program that focuses on basic transgender awareness information.
The event, offered by the LGBTQA Office and the Office of Human Rights, Access and Inclusion, includes how to be an ally and help cultivate a safe space for the transgender community.
Transgender training seminars have been held twice a year since fall semester 2012 at UI. The next training will be held from 9-11 a.m. Tuesday in the Horizon Room in the Idaho Commons. Students and faculty can RSVP by contacting the LGBTQA Office.
Julia Keleher, director of the LGBTQA Office, said the training is important to her as she considers herself a member of the LGBTQA community. That is why she continues to lead the training years after the original coordinators left the university.
“I think a lot of times the (LGBTQA) community sometimes doesn”t have a lot of voice on campus,” Keleher said. “For me, it”s important to advocate for all of my students.”
The event is targeted toward faculty as a professional development opportunity, but students are also welcome to attend, Keleher said.
Keleher said Moscow”s transgender community is relatively small, but in any community, it is difficult to determine the exact size of the transgender community. And no matter the size, she said the issue of transgender awareness is still relevant and important.
“It”s a big issue because, you know, a lot of times it”s a safety issue, even in Moscow and UI,” Keleher said.
Irish Martos | Argonaut
LGBTQA Office Director Julia Keleher talks about the importance of the upcoming Transgender 101 Training on Tuesday Nov. 17 at the Idaho Commons.
Keleher said the one of the best ways faculty can serve their students is to be educated on topics of gender and discrimination before they interact with them.
Though serious offenses are relatively rare, Keleher said “microaggressions” are common issues that college transgender students face day to day. She said microagressions can vary from transgender students being unable to use of the restroom of their choice to having to use their legal name rather than their chosen name on their student accounts.
“They”re living their authentic selves, and if we don”t provide those accesses – those resources to live their authentic self – it can be really detrimental to the student,” Keleher said.
The training will also focus on gender terminology, something Keleher said many people are unaware or misinformed about. She said the training will address discrimination, analyze how gender is viewed by society as well as provide information on what other universities are doing to cultivate safe places for the transgender community.
Keleher said all colleges have issues dealing with the transgender community, including UI. But overall, she said the university is filled with transgender allies.
“I think (all) and all, UI is a safe space,” Keleher said.
Taylor Nadauld can be reached at [email protected]