The University of Central Florida’s (UCF) non-discrimination policy now includes gender identity and expression. The UCF Board of Trustees vote on Nov. 10 was the culmination of three-and-a-half years of lobbying by diversity activists. None of the trustees voted “no” or abstained from voting.
Michael Freeman, assistant director of Diversity Education and Student Engagement at UCF, was instrumental in the measure’s successful vote.
“This happened because a lot of people, faculty students and administrators, were committed to having a campus that is safe for all students,” Freeman said.
He said the new policy makes UCF more competitive.
“Three hundred other colleges and universities have gender identity and expression protected in their non-discrimination policies,” Freeman said. “It allows us to attract the best and brightest faculty and staff and sends a clear message to the UCF community that we value everyone.”
Freeman said the policy’s passage is just step one.
“Next, we have to make sure folks are educated about what it means,” he said. “Policy alone doesn’t change culture and we’re working on providing education and training.”
He said he’s working with students through diversity courses and workshops, while supporting the faculty to make sure they understand what gender identity and expression mean, and “why we need a protected class for them.”
