In honor of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender History month, it is important that we reflect on what our campus and community have done to better the living environments of GLBT residents.
One of the most revolutionary pieces of legislation to emerge from the District was the Human Rights Act of 1997. Targeting rampant discrimination and inequality, the bill sought to define and protect the rights of GLBT residents living in the city.
But it was not until 2006 that lawmakers realized their bill was inadequate. Perhaps the result of social mores, the Human Rights Act failed to fully incorporate the sentiments of transgender people suffering at the hands of discrimination. Thus, the District passed an amendment that contained a number of provisions that protected transgender D.C. residents from discrimination. Some of the new rules stipulated that D.C. authorities could not prosecute transgender individuals for identifying with a sex different from that of their sex assigned at birth on a legal document. The amendment also confirmed everyone's right to dress and groom in a manner consistent with their gender, not their ascribed sex.
While all of these GLBT developments in the District are historic and important, they underscore the fact that there is still more to be done, changes that perhaps can begin at AU. As we have reported and editorialized on in issues past, AU lacks a gender-neutral floor. Despite a March 2007 Undergraduate Senate resolution approving the exploration of GLBT housing options, SG and Housing and Dining have seemingly made little progress. Only Nebraska Hall allows for coed residency. Undoubtedly, AU is a little behind.
In combination with last week's article and editorial about AU's GLBT friendliness rankings, maybe it is time for some reform. More research into the plausibility of a gender-neutral floor would certainly do well for the university community. But more importantly, it would be the first of many steps toward true GLBT equality. There's never been a better time for such a change.
