The message below was sent to the Bryn Mawr on-campus community on October 24, 2018.
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
Earlier this week, as we returned from Fall Break and as our campus prepared to celebrate LGBTQIA+ History Month, we learned of the Federal Government’s reported proposal to eradicate important civil rights protections currently in place for transgender, non-binary and gender nonconforming individuals. The proposed change poses threats to the safety and rights of many U.S. residents, including some of Bryn Mawr’s students, faculty, staff and alumnae/i.
The College is opposed to the proposal, as it is antithetical to our institutional values and to our commitment to honor all persons. No government action can erase the identity of our trans* members, or of any other marginalized individuals. Bryn Mawr remains committed to creating a community of safety, belonging and support for all community members and to upholding our anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies. Such an environment is critical to our intellectual, personal and professional growth.
The proposed change to legal definitions of gender identity would stand among other recent government actions that threaten both the civil and human rights of many of our community members who identify in varied, often intersecting, ways. I encourage each of us to be sensitive to and recognize the stresses this proposal may have on members of our community, and to be supportive of and generous to one another. I also encourage those affected to take advantage of supports offered by the Dean’s Office, the Pensby Center and Human Resources (for staff and faculty). For students, in addition to regular hours, the Counseling Center will offer an open session, tomorrow — Thursday, October 25 at 4:00–5:30 pm.
With best wishes,
Kim Cassidy
President