Background

This section provides background and contextual information on the purpose and importance of this initiative.

2STNBGNC+ Communities on Campus

The University of Waterloo is a diverse institution with over 40,000 students and employees where many students and employees identify as Two-Spirit, non-binary, transgender, gender-nonconforming, and other genders.  Sociodemographic data indicates that approximately 2.5% of employees identify as gender-diverse, including gender non-conforming, non-binary, agender, transgender, Two-Spirit, and another gender identity. However, this percentage is potentially higher considering that 3.7% of faculty and 2.1% of support staff preferred not to identify their gender during the recent Equity Data Strategy study.[4] According to the Student Equity Survey 2021, 6.3% of students identified as members of 2STNBGNC+ community, and 1.4% preferred not to answer.[5] It is reasonable to assume that the number of gender-diverse students and employees is higher, but many trans and non-binary people are less likely to come out of the closet given the rise of transphobia and anti-gender socio-political trends in Canada and globally.[6]

“Waterloo recognizes the diverse voices and experiences of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (2SLGBTQIA+) students and employees. We celebrate and acknowledge their significant contributions and vital roles within the campus community and their advocacy for resources and practices that create a more inclusive campus.”[7]

While we have publicly acknowledged the importance of including 2STNBGNC+ individuals through statements like the one above, it is critical that our policies, processes, and procedures reflect and sustain 2STNBGNC+ inclusion as well. 

DIscrimination and Harrasment

Gender identity and gender expression are protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code (“the Code”). The Code also states that “trans people routinely experience discrimination, harassment and even violence because their gender identity or gender expression is different from their birth-assigned sex”.[8]  

Gender and sexual minorities, that is members of 2STNBGNC+ and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, experience higher level of discrimination and psychological distress. “Existing research indicates that being discriminated against and feeling unwelcomed, excluded, and not supported as a 2SLGBTQ+ student can put students at risk for poor mental health and interfere with their academics.[9]

Considering the global rise of anti-gender movements and current political trends in the United States, various aspects of personal safety are becoming a primary concern for members of the 2STNBGNC+ community. It is important to consider broader definitions of physical, psychological and economic safety when it comes to understanding the needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ students and employees. Different types of safety are intertwined and mutually reinforcing, especially when it comes to the wellbeing of trans and non-binary members on campus.

Physical safety for 2STNBGNC+ people is not always measured by the number of incidents involving physical or sexual violence.

It also includes the safety of personal information that often exposes 2STNBGNC+ community members to physical and sexual assault. For example, knowing that a person's pronouns include the pronoun “they” in any combination increases the likelihood that they will be targeted. This type of vulnerability is directly related to who has access to the personal information of students and employees, and how and when this information can be accessed. The risk of being unwillingly outed plays a large role in the mental health and sense of belonging of 2STNBGNC+ students and employees.

Homophobic and transphobic comments, microaggressions and jokes create a hostile environment for 2STNBGNC+ students and employees.

Especially if the people who say them are not called out and the homophobic and transphobic behaviour is not addressed in class or in the office. When microaggressions and jokes are not addressed, they are perceived as normal and lead to more severe forms of broader anti-2SLGBTQIA+ harassment and, in some situations, physical and sexual violence.  

Statistically, members of 2STNBGNC+ community experience higher levels of mental health problems, self-harm and suicidal tendencies.

The figures are much higher for 2STNBGNC+ young people.[1] Being in an adverse environment that allows homophobic and transphobic microaggressions may be a significant determinant of poor mental health among students and employees that could be expressed in poor/decreasing academic performance, professional performance and disengagement, self-isolation, as well as socially risky behaviours and self-harm (including substance use or other self-destructive tendencies).

The University's commitment

On June 28, 2023, an alumnus of the University targeted a gender studies class, in a hate-motivated attack related to gender expression and identity and left three victims with serious injuries.[11]  The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) warned that “violent threat posed by the anti-gender movement is almost certain to continue over the coming year and that violent actors may be inspired by the University of Waterloo attack to carry out their own extreme violence against the 2SLGBTQI+ community or against other targets they view as representing the gender ideology 'agenda’”[12].  It is crucial that the University remains committed to safeguarding the 2STNBGNC+ community.

For this reason, the University of Waterloo has committed to identifying and addressing the needs and concerns of 2STNBGNC+ members on campus.  The Office of EDI-R is leading this charge by gathering and analyzing existing and new data and information (e.g., from surveys, focus groups, and interviews) and providing recommendations for the University to consider and implement.

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