OPINION: Transphobia runs rampant on Loyola’s campus
Photo Illustration
March 18, 2023
Loyola has a pervasive transphobia problem – a problem that only seems to be escalating. I’ve had my pronouns and preferred name repeatedly ignored by faculty, despite signing every email with “Slater, (they/he).” Professors who knew me before I came out make fun of my chosen name or fail to use it at all. Peers have found and used my deadname instead of my preferred name. And these are just my personal experiences.
The lack of discretion afforded to transgender and gender-nonconforming students on an administrative level is appalling. Transgender students are not allowed to change their names on their student IDs. Last semester, the Women’s Resource Center made a social media post inferring that the term “TERF,” or trans-exclusionary radical feminist, is a slur. Abigail Favale- a known TERF- was invited to speak on sex and gender at Catholic Studies Night, just days after the Club Q shooting.
This problem is not exclusive to Loyola. Nationwide, transgender students report they have been verbally, physically, and sexually harassed in large numbers- as much as 24% of 27,000 transgender students. Trans rights have been under attack for years, and things only seem to worsen, with new legislation targeting transgender healthcare for people twenty-six and under. So much of the transphobic legislature running through states is based around transgender people’s rights in educational institutions, making the problem of transphobia at Loyola that much more frustrating. To see Loyola fail to live up to its core tenets of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” and “social justice” is more than just disappointing. It is devastating.
What is most upsetting about all of this is that there is little I can do about it. I have written to faculty about Abigail Favale, I have tried to get my ID changed, I have corrected professors and peers on my name, and every time I have been brushed off. If I get angry, I am being unprofessional and hostile, but if I say nothing I am complicit in my own dehumanization. Why should it fall on the transgender students of Loyola to protest every transphobic act that occurs? Where are the so-called allies?
“I offer you this warning: the Nature you bedevil me with is a lie. Do not trust it to protect you from what I represent, for it is a fabrication that cloaks the groundlessness of the privilege you seek to maintain for yourself at my expense,” Susan Stryker wrote as part of her performance piece-turned-essay “My Words to Victor Frankenstein Above the Village of Chamounix.” I use these words to remind you that your prejudice stems from a place of privilege, and only serves to shield you from progress. Loyola has aided and abetted transphobia for far too long, and it is high time we see a change.
Kolin Frederick • Mar 18, 2023 at 2:46 pm
I’m glad this is being talked about. While I did admittedly have an easier time being trans and stealth since I started transitioning before enrolling, I also had issues when I attended Loyola. I also was not allowed to change my name on my ID. Unless for official documents, having your given name on your ID should not be necessary. When I was registering for housing for the next year, I was talking with Chris Rice, the housing director. He told me that they were working on allowing preferred names on their housing system and that he would have mine changed before the assignment emails went out. Remind you, I was not out at the time except to two close friends. When the emails went out, it had my given name on them and I was consequentially outed to my friends/roommates. Luckily for me they were my friends and not strangers, but after being told that it was going to have my preferred name on it, I was shocked, sick, and panicked because that choice of coming out was taken away from me. I don’t attend Loyola anymore, not for this reason admittedly, but I do hope that things can be changed for the current trans students there.
D. Brion Ebey '88' • Mar 21, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Por que is this an issue ? Loyola used to a be sanctuary . All who attended could live their lives in their best interests . Why are these proud boy klan individuals allowed to dictate right wing idealism to any student . Let all students seek their own lives in peace ! Back in the 80’s a certain department head was ever so concerned a Maroon editor was too gay . No ! This person never wore a big bird costume around campus . But the thought was considered on occasion . Gabba Gabba Hey !!!
Aaron Hernandez • Apr 17, 2023 at 3:56 pm
I don’t know exactly how official the housing correspondences are, but student IDs, as mentioned in the article, should match government IDs, so there is no confusion if the student ID is needed to identify someone.
Also, there is no harm in having a speaker, such as Abigail Favale, come to speak at optional events even if they are a little controversial. Students are not forced to listen to her message, and her message may spark productive debate.