Thirty percent of
college students say they have been harassed or
discriminated against because they did not fit expectations
of masculinity or femininity, according to research
released Monday by the Gender Public Advocacy
Coalition.
In the same
survey of 651 students across the nation, 13% said they have
been harassed for using gender-specific bathrooms, and a
quarter said they have felt unsafe in campus housing.
Among a group of students who attend colleges without
gender identity or gender expression protections, two
thirds reported gender-based harassment--almost double
that reported at schools with inclusive policies.
Also, 57% said that they would feel safer on campus if
gender-neutral room options were available.
"You can't learn
if you aren't safe," said Brittney Hoffman,
GenderPAC's campus director, in a press release. "Educators,
administrators, and even student advocates need to be
focusing on how to make campuses
gender-SAFE--supportive, protective, and
equitable--for all students, whether or not they
fit expectations for masculinity or femininity."
(The Advocate)
