Vanderbilt University has launched the Gender Affirmation Toolkit to reinforce its commitment to providing a safe and inclusive working environment for all employees. The toolkit was developed in collaboration with the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Human Resources, the Equal Opportunity and Access Office, the Office of LGBTQI Life and other campus partners.
The Gender Affirmation Toolkit features a set of guidelines that serve as resources for employees who identify as transgender, genderqueer or non-binary, as well as the managers who support them, to navigate workplace biases or discrimination and ultimately build a more inclusive and welcoming work environment. The toolkit includes helpful information on topics such as confidentiality and privacy, names and pronoun use, and support for employees who are transitioning.
Vanderbilt University prohibits discrimination based on any category protected by Vanderbilt policy, including sexual orientation and gender identity. Gender-based and sexual harassment, including sexual violence, are forms of sex discrimination in that they deny or limit an individual’s ability to participate in or benefit from university programs or activities.
“We continue to move forward in our commitment to creating an inclusive Vanderbilt. The Gender Affirmation Toolkit is another intentional step Vanderbilt has taken to build a more inclusive and welcoming environment for the Vanderbilt community,” said Dr. André Churchwell, vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion and chief diversity officer. “We hope that this additional resource will give confidence to managers and supervisors to support and affirm employees of all gender identities. I’m thankful to our campus partners for supporting us in developing these resources.”
The guidelines are informational and evolving and can be found on the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion’s website in the resources section. All line managers are highly encouraged to use the toolkit to create a more inclusive environment for their teams and employees.
“It is imperative that our employees feel respected, included and safe in work environments where they can be their authentic selves. Consistent with Vanderbilt’s expressed values, we strive to create as supportive an environment as possible for every staff member,” said Laura Nairon, interim associate vice chancellor for people and business services. “We are proud of this collaborative effort to support employees and their leaders with resources to build an authentic and inclusive culture at Vanderbilt.”
Contact the EDI office at edi@vanderbilt.edu for more information.