Gender 101: Supporting Gender Diversity in the Writing Center

One of the Writing Center’s initiatives is to learn more about, discuss, and find ways to integrate issues of gender into our practices. The first important part of this process is to understand the basics of gender and what you can do about it.

Terms and Definitions

• Sex: Biological marker of secondary sex characteristics; determined by chromosomes, hormones. Sex is assigned at birth by doctors and parents.
• Gender: Identity category related to a spectrum of femininity and masculinity; influenced by (but not determined by) socialization
• Gender expression: How an individual chooses to perform their gender identity (outward appearance: dress, mannerisms, activities)
• Gender-variant: Gender expression that does not meet a society’s expectations for gender roles
• Transgender: An individual whose gender identity does not match their biological sex; may or may not outwardly express this identity. Trans is a common abbreviation.
• Dysphoria: A medical condition that causes an individual feels significant distress about their physical attributes, namely that their physical body does not match their gender. Evidence suggests both psychiatric and biological causes. Sometimes treated with surgery and hormone replacement.
• Genderqueer/two-spirit/gender non-conforming/agender: Identity category that falls somewhere in the middle of the feminine/masculine spectrum (or not at all).
• Cisgender: A term applied to someone whose gender identity matches their biological sex.
• Intersex: A variation of sex characteristics (genitals, chromosomes) that do not match the categories male or female
• Queer: Umbrella term used by LGBT individuals to indicate their non-conformity to standards of sexuality and/or gender.

Assumptions

• I don’t know or tutor any transgender/gender variant people.
  • Statistically, yes, you do. Either former or current, you have or have had a gender variant student in your class or in the ASC. You definitely have gender variant colleagues.
• Trans students should be treated just like anyone else. They don’t need special consideration.
  • Trans students need support against an unjust system. Just like other minorities, trans individuals face their own obstacles. Support them as you would support any other student who needed your attention.
• I don’t need to worry about this stuff!
  • Gender is connected to literally everything. You don’t have to pause your tutoring session or conversation to do a Gender 101 lesson. You can include support for gender identity into your day-to-day tutoring practices.
• I always treat everyone fairly/equally
  • Fair and equal is not the same thing as just. We all have good and fair intentions, but we must make active efforts to create a just environment, not simply an “equal” one.

Challenges Trans/Gender Non-Conforming People Face

• The individual’s preferred name may be different from the name on their legal documents or school rosters, leading to unintentional “outing” every time someone says the person’s legal name rather than the one they have chosen.
• The individual’s IDs may not match their name, gender identity, or gender expression. There are different procedures for changing legal names on school IDs, drivers licenses, social security cards, financial documents, medical records, birth certificates, etc. This is an expensive and time-consuming Sometimes, changing gender markers isn’t even possible. Inconsistent legal documents can lead to a many social and legal issues.
• Being misgendered (referred to as a man/woman or by the wrong pronouns) is a constant issue when an individual’s gender expression and outward appearance does not match their gender identity. It is painful to have one’s gender constantly denied or not acknowledged.
• Some statistics say that 90% of transgender individuals have faced some form of discrimination, including from law enforcement, housing, social services, and government aid. The rates of homelessness, poverty, and incarceration in transgender individuals far outstrips the same rates in cisgender individuals.
• Transgender individuals face frequent threats of physical harm just for being transgender. 41% of transgender people attempt suicide because of the psychological harm they have suffered from discrimination, social and physical violence, and dysphoria.

What You Can Do in General

• Respect the individual’s chosen name, pronoun, and gender presentation. It is not your place to question any of it.
• Never assume an individual’s gender identity or sexual orientation based on their appearance or behavior.
• Use gender inclusive language in general. Use “they” instead of “he or she” and words like “folks” instead of “ladies and gentlemen.”
• Respect the individual’s boundaries and privacy. Never “out” a trans individual to anyone else by discussing their trans status without their consent. When in doubt, always ask the trans person.
• Correct others who misgender the individual, even when they are not present.
• Ask the individual how you can support them. Don’t assume.
• Recognize that you will make mistakes. You’ll accidentally call the person by the wrong name or pronoun while you’re trying to adjust. Apologize, correct your mistake, and move on. Don’t over-apologize; this just makes the situation about you rather than your mistake.

What You Can Do in the Writing Center

• Recognize and challenge transphobia, including misgendering; assumption of gender roles/identity; binary gendered language; making jokes or mocking gender or sexual identities, and disparagement of trans identities on the basis of personal beliefs.
• When challenging transphobic behavior or speech, assume ignorance rather than hostility. Explain why transphobic behaviors are harmful.
• Challenge the gender binary with yourself and your tutees; not everyone fits female/male categories. Even when having conversations about trans individuals and trans issues, remind people that non-binary identities exist and are just as valid as binary identities.
• Speak up and challenge all types of -phobic behaviors. Be “upstanders” instead of “bystanders.”
• Ask people their preferred names and gender pronouns when you meet them or begin a session. Model this behavior by introducing yourself: “I’m Shon Meckfessel. You can all me Shon.” When talking about me, please use the pronouns they, them, and their.” Expect some confusion and resistance; most people have never been asked this question before. Explain why it’s important: because not everyone identifies the way they appear on the outside.

LGBTQIA Resources

On campus

• Counseling Services (counseling.highline.edu)
• Queer Straight Alliance (contact Multicultural Affairs)

In the community

• Trans Lifeline is a national helpline for transgender individuals in crisis. Visit TransLifeline.org; call (877) 565-8860
• Seattle Counseling Service is a mental health service specializing in LGBT-identified individuals. They accept Medicaid and having a sliding scale for clients without insurance. Visit SeattleCounseling.org to apply for services.
• The Northwest Network provides services for LGBT individuals in abusive situations. Visit NWNetwork.org or call (206) 568-7777.
• Lambert House is a drop-in center for LGBT youth 22 and under, located at 1818 15th Ave in Seattle. Visit LambertHouse.org.
• Gay City provides health services to LGBT individuals, including STI testing and hepatitis vaccinations. They also provide referrals to many LGBT-related services. Visit GayCity.org.

A Note About Personal Beliefs

The Writing Center does not dictate anyone’s personal beliefs or morality; those belong to the individual. However, when a person’s personal beliefs come into conflict with someone else’s identity, the person holding the beliefs has a responsibility to remain civil. This means not prompting conflict by making disparaging remarks about someone’s identity–this goes for anyone’s identity, not just if it’s LGBTQIA. Language that harms someone else is against Writing Center policy and the Highline Student Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated. Identity is not about right or wrong; it’s about mutual respect and civility.