Gender Etiquette

Adapted with permission from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Creating Change Conference.

As an assocation that  recognizes and appreciates diversity in relation to, and across the intersections of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran status, age, socioeconomic status, and disability, NASPA strives to create an inclusive environment at professional development events for all attendees.

Recently, volunteer leadership from the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues, Men and Masculinities, and Women in Student Affairs Knowledge Communities collaborated on a Transgender Working Group. The group met to examine gender identity and expression and transgender inclusion across NASPA initiatives. NASPA appreciates the work of this group and the suggestions they offer to create a more inclusive association for all members. In pursuit of this goal, the following  information is provided regarding gender etiquette at the 2011 NASPA Annual Conference.

• Pay attention to a person's purposeful gender expression. Some consider it polite to ask: "What pronoun do you prefer?" before using pronouns or gendered words for anyone. When you are unsure of a person's gender identity and you don't have an opportunity to ask someone what words they prefer, try using that person's name or gender-neutral phrases like "the person in the red shirt," instead of "that woman or man."
• Offer opportunities for all to share their gender pronoun preference in settings where they are asked to introduce themselves. For example, if you are facilitating a session, roundtable discussion or meeting, where you are already asking participants to introduce themselves by name, position and institution, ask them to also include their gender pronoun preference. Practices such as this provide opportunities for people to share when they feel safe enough to do so and reduces the potential for discomfort should one participant reference another with an inaccurate pronoun.
• One way of acknowledging transgender people's needs is to designate restrooms gender neutral. In restrooms, many transgender people face harassment that can lead to anything from deep discomfort to arrest or death. Regardless of what restroom you are in, please let everyone use that space in peace. Each of us can decide for ourselves in which bathroom we belong. Gender neutral restrooms will be located in the following areas:
• Convention Center – Broad Street Atrium Restroom, across from room 126-B
• Please listen to transgender people's needs and stories when they are volunteered; yet please respect people's privacy and boundaries and do not ask unnecessary questions.
• Educate yourself through books, web sites, and transgender workshops. Then please join the many hardworking allies who are working to respond appropriately to transphobic situations. Respectful allies, who learn from and with transgender people and then educate others, are important for successful transgender inclusion.

Thank you for your help and have a great conference!