Steven David, BA
Nabil Hassan El-Ghoroury, MA
APAGS Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns
Over the past several years, many lesbian, gay, and bisexual organizations have begun to recognize the importance of including the issues and concerns of transgender people in the scope of their mission. This gradual evolution is occurring as within-group diversity becomes more apparent and the needs of all group members are addressed. Until now, transgender students have not been specifically represented in APAGS. In keeping with the current progressive trend of inclusion, the APAGS committee recently voted to include Transgender in the title of the former Committee on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns (CLGBC), thus creating CLGBTC.
For many years, both APAGS in general and the CLGBC have demonstrated a commitment to diversity and inclusion. In the mid 1990's, the committee was founded with the inclusion of the term Bisexual in its title. Throughout its history, APAGS has had many women and members of underrepresented ethnic groups on its committee and involved in subcommittee work. A number of LGBT students have also been involved, including elected positions. In addition to this visible representation, APAGS has made a concerted effort to take actions that serve the diverse student population that it represents. An excellent example of this is the APAGS Survival Guide for Ethnic Minority Graduate Students (To access this Survival Guide, contact APAGS). With efforts like these in mind, the CLGBTC will begin to explore ways in which to go beyond mere title inclusion to actually serving the needs of transgender students.
The move toward transgender inclusion in APAGS came about when newly appointed CLGBC members began discussing LGB student issues pertinent to the work of the committee. The first point discussed was lack of transgender representation or “Where's the T?” While it was established that there is currently no official data on transgender student membership in APAGS, anecdotal knowledge of transgender student members was shared. It was decided that regardless of the number of transgender APAGS members, transgender inclusion is an important symbolic move that aligns CLGBTC with other progressive groups that are fighting discrimination based on sexual and gender identity. It is understood that not all transgender people identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. However, transgender people have been an integral part of the LGB community throughout history and thus merit representation without question. In addition, transgender people who identify as heterosexual share similar experiences of marginalization and discrimination and in the true spirit of inclusion should be fully embraced.
In January of this year, the CLGBC voted unanimously to include Transgender in its title. In February Nabil El-Ghoroury, MA, Chair of the subcommittee, proposed the name change to the APAGS committee. The APAGS committee in turn voted unanimously in favor of the change. This is a significant decision. First, it demonstrates APAGS' commitment to representing the needs of all students, particularly those in underrepresented groups. Second, it is potentially empowering to transgender students who may have felt unheard and ignored thus far. Third, it establishes APAGS as progressively in sync with LGB rights organizations that are moving toward inclusion of transgender issues in their struggle for equality.
