President’s speeches, letters, and articles
Subject: Reed’s unwavering support for transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex community members
October 23, 2018
Dear Reed Community,
I write to you today to express Reed’s unwavering support for transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex community members at Reed. This affirmation comes in the context of discussions of potential reductions in protections of transgender people.
As many of you have heard, a memo issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services proposes a strict definition of gender for Title IX that narrowly defines gender as a biological, immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth. Such a narrow definition would erode legal recognition and civil rights protections for those in the transgender, gender nonconforming, and intersex communities—an estimated 1.4 million Americans.
Reed opposes this change and reaffirms our commitment to welcome and support all Reed community members, particularly those who have faced historical and current discrimination in fulfilling their personal, educational, and professional goals. Our ongoing efforts and resources to strengthen our policies and practices for gender equity and trans inclusion, along with our work to address all forms of oppression and discrimination, will continue.
Sincerely,
Hugh Porter
Acting President
Reed College