Home / Gender & Sexual Diversity / Documenting the History of LGBTQ+ Life at Tulane University / Documenting the History of LGBTQ+ Life at Tulane University
This timelines below are a work-in-progress and therefore incomplete.
Significant moments currently listed are those that became evident through oral histories and archival research conducted by undergraduate Lauren Kwiatkowski, under the direction of Dr. Red Tremmel.
After 2012, when OGSD was created, records became more detailed; much work was done prior to this period that has not yet been researched and recorded. Dr. Red Tremmel created historical documentation below during his time as Director of OGSD from 2012-2018.
The Office for Gender & Sexual Diversity is committed to continually docuemnting and housing LGBTQ+ history and experiences at Tulane from 2019 to present day and beyond! OGSD welcomes additons to this work, edits, updates, etc. Please email ppeterson@tulane.edu if you would like to add to this ongoing project!
1974-2014
Where We Have Been, Where We Are Going
Gender and Sexual Diversity at Tulane University
Office for Gender and Sexual Diversity
October 3, 2014
Growth of LGBTIQA Student Organizations at Tulane University
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1974 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
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Gay Student Union (GSU) founded |
QSA |
QSA |
QSA |
QSA |
QSA |
QSA |
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Renamed GALA |
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TWORD |
SWEET |
SWEET |
SWEET |
SWEET |
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Renamed biGALA |
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GES |
GES |
GES |
GES |
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Renamed MOSAIC |
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GRL |
GRL |
GRL |
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Renamed QSA |
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QFC |
QFC |
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TSSHAG |
TSSHAG |
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FAST |
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**TOGA is the LGBTIQA medical student organization, Lambda is the law student organization and TSSHAG is public Health. |
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Timeline of Significant Changes in LGBTIQA Student Life
1974 |
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1992
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1995
2003-08
2008/09
2009/10 |
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2009/10 (cont.)
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2011/12 |
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2012/13 |
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2012/13 (cont.)
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2012/13 (cont.)
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2013/14 |
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2013/14 (cont.)
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2014/15 |
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annual “Trans 101” training for the entire CAPS staff—receptionists, administrators, counselors, and psychiatrists and the entire professional staff of Reilly; OGSD and HRL collaborate to add the “Trans 101” workshop as a professional development option for all RAs in housing
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Future Goals & Best Practices |
The following areas, listed in order of priority, are those that OGSD and student leaders have identified as most pressing and important to the future of gender and sexual diversity at Tulane University. Beneath each goal are recommendations, many of which are based on best practices that are currently in use by leaders in the field.
Identification Markers
Institutional identification cards, class rosters, and forms convey institutional values. For this reason, it is important to ensure that all campus data collection and publication of that data accurately reflect student’s most basic identification markers: name and gender. Trans*, international, and other students at Tulane sometimes use names that are different than those they were legally given at birth. And for various reasons, they will not legally change their name while at Tulane. It is a best practice to activate the field in Banner called “Preferred Name” to provide students with the ability to be known by the name they use. This is especially important to trans* students who may be put at risk when “outed” by Tulane’s record keeping system. OGSD recommends the following, in keeping with best practices:
Emotional and Social Support for Trans* and Gender Variant Students
Over the past two years it has become evident that trans* and gender variant students are most at risk for depression, intragroup conflict, dropping out, and suicidal ideation. For this reason it is imperative that we support students in getting trans* competent individual therapy; professional therapeutic support in a group setting; sustaining and developing peer-based student organizations; and positive programming, such as the artist in residence project.
Facilities: People of all gender identities and expressions require access to safe restroom facilities that are not sex-segregated. Two types of restrooms can accommodate individuals of all gender identities and expressions: single-occupancy, gender-inclusive restrooms (used by one person at a time) and all-gender restrooms (multiple, lockable stalls but used by anyone). Any single-occupancy restroom can easily be converted to a gender-inclusive restroom by changing its signage. To convert multiple-occupancy restrooms, institutions can either change them to all-gender restrooms via signage or change them to single-occupancy, gender-inclusive restrooms via renovation. OGSD recommends the following, in keeping with best practices:
Addressing Bias, Discrimination & Hate
Because transphobia and anti-transgender bias characterize the national climate, safety is often a significant concern for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals when they arrive on campus. Regularly reconstituted, institutions of higher education are not immune to the transphobic practices and biases that circulate more broadly. In one higher education survey by Rankin, Weber, Blumenfeld, and Frazer (2010), “thirty-nine percent of transmasculine respondents, 38 percent of transfeminine respondents, and 31 percent of gender non-conforming respondents reported experiencing harassment…a significant number of transmasculine respondents (87%) and transfeminine respondents (82%) indicated their gender expression was the basis for harassment”. For this reason, it is important that we effectively (1) support those who experience transphobia and anti-transgender bias (2) increase the number and effectiveness of allies to members of Tulane’s community who identify as trans* (3) implement educational programs and workshops that create a welcoming and inclusive climate for all students. OGSD recommends the following, in keeping with best practices:
Leadership Development
By their second or third year working within GSAC, many students are ready for more in-depth leadership development. To keep these students engaged throughout their final years, it will be important to not only provide them with support and community, but also the tools to be life long effective leaders. Students in the spring leadership retreat said they want for education on time management, self-care, avoiding burn-out, dealing with apathy in the university, cooperation amongst groups, diversifying memberships, vision and mission development, creating open and safe spaces, clarifying roles, motivating and retaining membership over the semester, developing relationship with local and national LGBTIQA groups and leaders, leadership transition, successful co-programming, planning ahead, delegating responsibility, working with larger organizations such as USG and TUCP, and building budgets.
[1] This timeline is a work-in-progress and therefore incomplete. Significant moments currently listed are those that became evident through oral histories and archival research conducted by undergraduate Lauren Kwiatkowski, under the direction of Dr. Red Tremmel. After 2012, when OGSD was created, records became more detailed; much work was done prior to this period that has not yet been researched and recorded.
[2] Best practices were determined by information gathered at the 2013 Consortium of Higher Education conference, through phone consultations with leading practitioners Genny Beemyn at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Dorthea Bauer at the University of Vermont, webinars, and the following published research: Pasha Mikalson, Seth Pardo, and Jamison Green, “First, Do No Harm: Reducing Disparities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Populations in California,” The California LGBTQ Reducing Mental Health Disparities Population Report (2011); Emily Johnson and Allison Subasic, “Promising Practices for Inclusion of Gender Identity/Gender Expression in Higher Education,” Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals (2011); Megan R. Yost and Stephanie Gilmore, “Assessing LGBTQ Campus Climate and Creating Change,” Journal of Homosexuality 58:9 (2011): 1330-54.
Office for Gender & Sexual Diversity
In 2012, the Office for Gender and Sexual Diversity (OGSD) was founded by Dr. Red Tremmel, a visiting faculty member who held a joint appointment in the Gender & Sexuality Studies Program and the History Department.
In 2013, after collaborating with students, staff and faculty as well as researching best practices nationwide, the following mission for OGSD emerged:
To accomplish this mission, the following goals structure OGSD practices:
OGSD Initiatives
Serve as a Resource Hub for LGBTQ+ Students
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2016-Present
OGSD plans and hosts 2-4 LGBTQ+ “O”pen Houses at the beginning of the school year to introduce students to available services and resources on campus. This is also an important drop in space for returning students to reconnect after the summer and meet incoming students.
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2012-Present
OGSD offers LGBTQ+ focused orientation through Fall Welcome Programming to raise awareness about support services and programs offered by the university, as well as to foster community among students.
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OGSD co-hosts and plans the week-end long O Multicultural LGBTQ+ Fall Leadership Retreat in Biloxi Mississippi (location was in Alabama in 2017) to provide incoming students and recently out students an opportunity to meet other students, reflect on their and others’ identities and develop leadership skills.
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OGSD creates, collates and distributes a weekly e-newsletter, which comes to be called SPECTRUM. The primary purpose of the newsletter is to share time-sensitive announcements and resources related to gender and sexual diversity at Tulane University, including happenings, news, announcements, and resources that are relevant to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, questioning, feminist, and allied communities. Note: this is the only newsletter on campus that collate all gender- and sexuality-related events in one place. Without this newsletter, there is no place to know what is happening campus wide each week.
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OGSD co-hosts, with the O, an O Graduate Student Reception, once each semester to introduce students to resources offered by the O and to get feedback about needs and issues grad students are facing.
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OGSD undertakes all communications for gender- and sexuality-related events via social media, posters, Org Sync, and university-wide calendars.
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OGSD coordinates student access (student org e-boards only) and supplies for the Mosaic Lounge, the LGBTQ+ student space in Warren Hall.
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OGSD meets with prospective parents and students who call or drop in the office to find out more about resources and campus culture for LGBTQ+ students.
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OGSD gives consultations to all units on campus seeking advice about how to create inclusive spaces, update forms and practices, work with individual students, problem solve, etc..
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OGSD designs, creates, orders, and distributes promotional giveaways to alert students to the existence of OGSD as a resource on campus (i.e. cups, buttons, stickers, etc.)
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OGSD connects students to gender- and sexuality related opportunities off campus (i.e. LGBTQ+ sports groups, health care providers, youth groups, etc.)
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OGSD creates images for public spaces that address intersectionality, LGBT history, culture, health issues, etc. Purchase and place art prints in the MOSAIC Lounge and the O that positively portray the lives of trans/gender non-conforming and queer students.
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2013-14
OGSD advises social work students to revise the Transgender Guide to NOLA Health Care Providers, a guide to competent mental and physical health care providers for gender non-conforming people in the New Orleans area. They sought to develop a tool to measure competence, distribute surveys, and publish a guide that can be used both by students and the broader New Orleans community. This guide continues to be offered through Louisiana Trans Advocates. Students could continue to be useful in keeping this list up-to date, as LTA and the LGBTQ+ Center of New Orleans has no staff to do this work.
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2012-14
OGSD researches and writes the Campus Compass LGBTQ+ Resource Guide, a 32-page LGBTQ+ resource guide to Tulane University and the New Orleans area. (This research ends up becoming the content for the updated OGSD website.)
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Ensure Inclusivity in Campus-Wide Policies
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2018-Present
LGBTQ+ Policy Committee begins completion of recommendations #1 and #2 of the “Report on Restroom Access at Tulane University” and begins work on next set of recommendations #4-7. (See Appendix A)
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2017-18
In accordance with the guidelines set out by the LGBTQ+ Policy Committee, the President’s Office approves budget to complete Recommendations #1 and #2 of the “Report on Restroom Access at Tulane University” to design, purchase and change signs for single-user restrooms from “Male,” Female,” and “Unisex” to “All-Gender.”
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2016-17
LGBTIQA Policy Committee submits “Report on Restroom Access at Tulane University” to the President’s Office and Campus Planning with recommendations to address the lack of campus access for faculty, staff, students and visitors of all genders. (Implementation of recommendations begin in 2017-18)
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2015-16
OGSD and the Office for Institutional Equity establish a university-wide LGBTQ+ Policy Committee, (co-chaired Red Tremmel and Kandice Hamilton) to consider restroom access and the development of a restroom policy. The group expanded its concerns to more broadly focus on facilities (to include locker rooms and shower areas). The policy committee is comprised of:
In the Fall of 2015, as a result of a staff issue, Tulane’s Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) calls together key partners across the university to consider how our anti-discrimination policies apply to the use of sex-segregated restroom facilities. |
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2014-15
Gender Inclusive Housing (GIH) Policy is approved by Provost and President, allowing students of any gender the option of living together. “GIH options are on par with other housing options in terms of price and are available in all dorms, with varying occupancy, if space permits.”
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2013-14
OGSD submits recommendations to Housing and Residence life, in consultation with student leaders and national best practices, to develop a Gender Inclusive Housing Policy that will align with Tulane’s anti-discrimination policy. (Successfully implemented in 2014-15) |
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President’s office, faculty senate and cabinet approve recommendations to revise Tulane’s its Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policies to include “gender identity” and “gender expression.”
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2012-13
OGSD submits recommendations, in collaboration with OIE and the university Chief Council’s Office, to the President’s office that Tulane revise its Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policies to include “gender identity” and “gender expression.” (Successfully implemented in 2013-14)
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Ensure Inclusivity in University Facilities and Services
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2018-Present
Campus planning and facility services finish changing signs on single-user restrooms on the uptown and downtown campus from “Male,” Female,” and “Unisex” to “All-Gender.”
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2017-18
Campus planning and facility services begin changing signs on single-user restrooms on the uptown and downtown campus from “Male,” Female,” and “Unisex” to “All-Gender.” |
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HRL changes sex-segregated multi-stall restroom/showers to an all-gender multi-stall restroom/showers in Patterson, where the Kaleidoscope RLC is located.
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2016-17
OGSD recommends to HRL that the multi-stall restroom and showers in the RLC Kaleidoscope, located in Warren Hall, be ”All Gender” to ensure inclusivity of the RLC. (Successfully implemented in 2017-18) |
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2015-16
On the main Housing and Residence Life Application portal, HRL adds a checkbox for students who would like to have “Gender Inclusive Housing.” Previously, this was done on a case by case basis, over the phone or walk-in, when a student reached out to OGSD or HRL to inquire about GIH. |
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The Registrar’s Office begins offering students the ability to enter their preferred names and pronouns in the Gibson Portal for more accurate representation on Splash Cards, faculty rosters, as well as academic adviser and healthcare records. A similar option to utilize a preferred name was also later extended to faculty and staff. This collaboration also included Assessment and Institutional Research, Admissions, and the Office of General Counsel. The option became available to students in October of 2015.
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2014-15
Lavern Bernick Center for Student Life (LBC) changes the signs on 7 single-stall sex-segregated bathrooms to gender-inclusive bathrooms labeled “Restroom.” |
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CAPS begins offering a discussion group for gender variant students, held weekly in the MOSAIC lounge. Though it was requested by students and OGSD, very few students participated noting that they wanted to work with therapists who were also gender variant. The discussion group ended in 2016 due to low-no participation. |
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OGSD and USG recommend that the Registrar’s Office begin offering students the ability to enter their preferred names and pronouns in the Gibson Portal for more accurate representation on Splash Cards, faculty rosters, as well as academic adviser and healthcare records. A similar option to utilize a preferred name was also later extended to faculty and staff. (Successfully implemented in 2015-16)
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2013-14
OGSD and USG recommend that Lavern Bernick Center for Student Life (LBC) change the signs on single-stall sex-segregated bathrooms to gender-inclusive bathrooms labeled “Restroom.” (Successfully implemented in 2014-15)
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2012-13
OGSD begins to seek a solution to the difficulties posed by Splash Cards, class rosters and other internal data systems that do not accurately represent the chosen names of trans and international students. Met with Chief Technology Officer to consider how to create a system for students to use their chosen names and pronouns on internal data systems, including identification cards, emails, and class rosters. (Successfully implemented in 2015-16)
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OGSD recommends that CAPS begin a discussion group for LGBTQ+ students and who want to discuss more personal matters that do not have a place in more academic or social settings. At the founding of OGSD, quite a few students (who already have therapists off campus) came to talk to me about very personal issues that may be best facilitated by a therapist. (Successfully implemented in 2014-15)
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OGSD recommends that Reily Recreation Center ensure that gender variant students who cannot use sex-segregated locker rooms can have similar access as gender normative students to lockers and showers. |
Provide Support to LGBTQ+ Students through Mentoring, Advising, and Leadership Development
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2012-Present
OGSD establishes and keeps an open door policy (the door is always open except for private meetings) in the O for all LGBTQ+ students to walk in for advising, trouble shooting, etc.
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OGSD works with students who need one-on-one advising and mentoring, including those who walk in or who are identified by advisors, student conduct, student resources, and theWELL. Advising and mentoring includes one-on-one appointments and walk-ins throughout the week with students who are having issues adjusting to college life, experiencing gender-based bias, feeling isolated on campus, having troubles with family members, etc. With several students, I scheduled weekly check-in meetings; sometimes students are offered projects to work on as a means to feel connected. I also introduce students to services and organizations on campus to increase their connectivity.
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OGSD creates, plans and implements leadership retreats for LGBTQ+ student leaders. In Spring of 2012 Tulane offers first one-day on-campus LGBTQ+ Spring Leadership Retreat. In Spring of 2018, the one-day retreat is expanded to Tulane’s first weekend long off-campus LGBTQ+ Spring Leadership Retreat in Grand Isle, Louisiana.
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OGSD submits concerns reports for students who are struggling with social and/or academic issues.
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OGSD writes recommendations for students seeking to apply for jobs, study abroad, grants and graduate school.
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OGSD advises the establishment of new student organizations, such as the Queer Feminist Collective (QFC) and Tulane Society for Sexuality, Gender and Health (TSSGH), an org for public health students; graduate students in 2014-15.
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OGSD advises student leaders of all LGBTQ+ student groups in the development of budgets, program development and execution, financial processes, facilitation skills, member recruitment, advertising, etc. for the following student organizations:
Gender and Sexuality Advisory Council (GSAC) Queer Student Alliance (QSA) Student Women Embracing Equality at Tulane (SWEET) Gender Exploration Society (GES) Queer Feminist Collective (QFC) Gamma Rho Lambda (GRL)
OGSD assisted student leaders of these organizations, but not as their main advisor:
LGBT+ Bible Study now called Prism, through NOLA Wesley (2012-Present) mPOwerment (2012-2014) Sexual Aggression Peer Hotline (SAPHE) (2012-2014) VOX (2012-14) Vagina Monologues (2012-15)
In 2018, a newly hired staff member in the O, Kevin Lewis, began advising all student groups for the O.
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2012-13
OGSD establishes a coalition of LGBTQ+ student organization leaders to inform the work of OGSD and foster collaboration between members in the coalition. This newly formed group was called the Gender and Sexuality Advisory Council (GSAC), (NOTE: GSAC’s primary function was not USG representation, though the group did decide to seek representation on student government.) GSAC, consisted of 16 member organizations including first-year representatives from the class of 2016, LGBTIQA undergraduate and graduate student organizations, feminist student organizations, and performance groups that focus on gender and sexuality. Each of the meetings was lively, vibrant and productive as students had not had a coalition group prior to this year. |
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OGSD secures funding through the Forum for Equality for a dinner to establish a network of Tulane students and New Orleans youth leaders, ages 17-22, who work on LGBTIQA issues throughout New Orleans. |
Provide Support to LGBTQ+ Students through Cultural Engagements and Social Programming
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2018-Present OGSD establishes a new program called Spilling Tea, a monthly study break held in the evenings in Patterson Lounge to provide students an informal opportunity to connect to staff and one another. The goal is to increase these if they are popular.
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2016-Present
Students change the Miss Paul Tulane Drag Show to Glam Jam: A Queer Variety Show. The change aims to re-focus the event on queer students and features a range of queer talent beyond drag. In previous years, this event was advised and funded by theWELL. In 2017-18, OGSD began advising this event though funds were still contributed through theWELL.
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2013- Present
OGSD and GSAC organize an annual winter welcome-back social called “Do Ask Do Tell,” as a way for students to reconnect after break, which can be difficult due to issues of familial homo/transphobia. Also meant to welcome new students who may not have been ready to come out in fall semester.
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2012-Present
OGSD co-hosts Wednesdays with the O, a weekly event aimed at fostering intersectional community building and knowledge about upcoming events. |
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OGSD assists students in the planning and implementation of Pride Prom. |
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OGSD organizes and hosts six study breaks throughout the year to have an informal opportunity for students and faculty to get to know one another. The study break for LGBTIQA Students of Color was particularly successful in that they decided they wanted to continue meeting every other week because no such group currently existed on campus. This also inspired one student to do a semester long project on the needs of LGBTIQA students of color and how race-, gender-, and sexuality-based organizations deal with issues of intersectionality. In 2017-18, the study breaks were names QTPie and themed around pop culture. After changing the time several times to accommodate schedules, it was cancelled due to low attendance. Students recommend having it at night and it is decided that we will hold a monthly drop in space called Spilling Tea.
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Foster Educational Engagement and Critical Thinking about Gender and Sexuality through an Intersectional Lens
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Courses
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2017-Present
Dr. Tremmel creates curriculum and teaches the new 1-Credit Intersectionality Course “Becoming Woke in an Us vs. Them Society” for Kaleidoscope RLC
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2013-Present
Dr. Tremmel creates curriculum and teaches the new 3-Credit Course “4500: Sexuality in US History.”
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2017-18
Dr. Tremmel creates curriculum and teaches the new “LGBTQ+ History of the United States.”
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2014-15
Dr. Tremmel creates curriculum and teaches the new “Special Topics: Social Movements”
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Dr. Tremmel creates curriculum and teaches the new independent study: Masculinities, Sexuality and Greek Life
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2013-14
Dr. Tremmel creates curriculum and teaches the new Independent Study: Trans Discourse in Mainstream and Independent Films |
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Dr. Tremmel establishes service-learning opportunities with the LGBTQ+ Center of New Orleans for students enrolled “Sexuality in US History.”
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2012-16
Dr. Tremmel creates curriculum and teaches the new 3-Credit Course “3500: Identity, Difference and Inequality”
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2012-13
Dr. Tremmel creates curriculum and teaches the new 3-Credit Course “6000: Advanced Feminist and Queer Theory” |
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Workshops
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2014-Present
Dr. Tremmel researches best practices in ally workshop trainings and vocabulary and updated curriculum of the Trans 1010 Workshop.
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2012-Present
Dr. Tremmel creates curriculum and annually trains all Resident Assistants (Ras) (100-120) and some staff in HRL, using the LGBTQ+ 101 Ally Workshop curriculum
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Dr. Tremmel creates curriculum and teaches LGBTQ+ 101 Ally Workshops to Academic Advisors, the staff of Student Health, Peer Health Educators, Counseling and Psychological Services.
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2017-18
Dr. Tremmel revises curriculum for Resident Assistants’ LGBTQ+ ally training to large scale lecture with break-out sessions for the last hour, separated by new and returning, in groups of 20.
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2014-15
At the request of RAs, Dr. Tremmel holds workshops in the dorms on “Microaggressions” and “Healthy Sexuality.”
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Dr. Tremmel and HRL collaborate to add the “Trans 101” workshop as a professional development option for all RAs in housing.
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Dr. Tremmel teaches four open sessions of the Trans 101 workshop throughout the academic year
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2013-14
Dr. Tremmel advises five social work students to update and revise the “LGBTQ+ 101 Workshop.”
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Dr. Tremmel creates curriculum and teaches a new 2-hour “Transgender 101” Ally Workshop for Faculty Staff and Students.
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Dr. Tremmel provides first “Trans 101” training for the entire CAPS staff—receptionists, administrators, counselors, and psychiatrists and the entire professional staff of Reilly.
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OGSD changes the name of the Safe Zone workshop to LGBTQ+ 101 Ally Workshop.
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Dr. Tremmel teaches four open sessions of the LGBTQ+ 101 Ally Workshop throughout the academic year
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Dr. Tremmel researches best practices in ally workshop trainings and vocabulary and updated curriculum of the LGBTQ+ 101 Ally Workshop.
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Programming
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2012-Present
PRIDE n 2012, OGSD organizes Pride Week, continuing the volunteer programming staff had done in previous years to support queer students. Previous programming included a one day BBQ on the quad with a wall of support that passing students signed. This one day of programming was expanded to a week in 2012. In 2015, Pride Week is expanded beyond one week of programming to Pride Month in order to expand the opportunities of participation.
6th Annual Pride Month (2017-18) featured:
5th Annual Pride Month (2016-17) featured:
4th Annual Pride Month (2015-16) featured
3rd Annual Pride Month (2014-15) featured:
2nd Annual Pride Month (2013-14) featured:
1st Annual Pride Month (2012-13) featured
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AUDRE LORDE DAYS
In 2012, OGSD establishes Tulane’s first annual Audre Lorde Week, a semester of programming during the Spring focused on the intersections of gender, race, class, ability, age, and nationality. In 2015 Audre Lorde Days is expanded beyond one week of programming and celebrated over the course of the Spring semester as Audre Lorde Days in order to expand the opportunities of participation.
6th Annual Audre Lorde Days (2017-18) featured:
5th Annual Audre Lorde Days (2016-17) featured:
4th Annual Audre Lorde Days (2015-16) featured
3rd Annual Audre Lorde Days (2014-15) featured
2nd Annual Audre Lorde Week (2013-14) featured:
1st Annual Audre Lorde Week (2012-13) featured:
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NATIONAL TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE (TDOR) CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
In 2012, OGSD establishes Tulane’s first National Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) Candlelight Vigil. TDOR was renamed Trans Day of Resilience, Remembrance and Resistance (2016). This event draws about 100 people annually at sundown pay tribute to the hundreds of trans women who have been murdered in the last year. In most years, Tulane’s acapella groups have performed, students have read poetry and all names are read out loud in remembrance. Students also have set up space in the Mosaic lounge after the vigil to eat and provide support to one another.
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2012-15
In 2012, OGSD establishes Tulane’s first annual Transgender Awareness Week which was renamed Transgender Rising (2014). This programming took place in November in conjunction with TDOR. Transgender Rising Week aimed to counter negative images of trans people as pathological, immoral, exotic, etc. and to supplement cultural events such as TDOR that primarily focus on murder and mourning. OGSD begins bringing trans-identified artists and activists to campus.
3rd Annual Transgender Rising (2014-15) featured:
2nd Annual Trans Week of Awareness (2013-14) featured:
1st Annual Trans Week of Awareness (2012-13) featured:
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2014-15
OGSD invites and hosts filmmaker Angela Tucker, who screens and discusses her film (A)sexual: Not Everyone is Doing It for Asexual Awareness Day.
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2012-16
OGSD establishes Tulane’s first annual Transgender Day of Visibility, during which students tabled on the quad.
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2012-13
In celebration of MLK week, OGSD screened the documentary Brother Outsider and hosted Dr. Elizabeth Steeby from UNO to give a lecture on Bayard Rustin.
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OGSD organizes Tulane’s first and only Queer Artist-in-Residence 8-Week Arts Program: OGSD and the Office of Student Resources collaborated to bring an artist to campus for an eight-week arts program for gender variant students. This program focused on creativity and self-representation (rather than typical models of diagnostics and medicalization) of gender variant students and culminated in a final public presentation entitled, “Every Time I walk Outside My Body is a Public Object.”
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Led a group of students to City Hall to advocate for the decriminalization of queer youth of color in New Orleans.
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Develop Organizational Capacity and Professional Skills to Support Students
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2016-Present
Center for Academic Equity advocates for a full-time programming position for OGSD, funded in part by Newcomb College and in part by Student Affairs.
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2015-Present
Carolyn Barber-Pierre advocates for a full-time OGSD programming position, funded by Student Affairs.
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2013-Present
Dr. Tremmel raises co-programming and sponsorship funds from campus partners to bring artists, scholars and community organizers to campus. Each year OGSD and student groups co-program to bring in approximately $10,000-$50,000 for LGBTQ+ programming (NCI, theWELL, TUCP, Taylor Center, Amistad Research Center, HRL, etc.)
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2013-Present
The School of Liberal Arts Gender and Sexuality Studies program funds one 9-month part-time undergraduate to assist Dr. Tremmel in gender- and sexuality-related programming.
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2012-Present
OGSD is founded in 2012 with one position at the Director level to develop and implement programs, consultations, advising, workshops, etc.; director, Dr. Tremmel’s time is allocated 85% to OGSD and 15% to Gender and Sexuality Studies (funded by the School of Liberal Arts).
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Dr. Tremmel participates in webinars and conferences on LGBTQ+ student affairs issues. (i.e. “Developing Trans 101 Trainings for Campuses,” “Researching LGBTIQA Communities,” and, “Creating Guides for Transgender Resources;” and NGLTF Consortium meeting, a national conference on LGBTIQA issues in higher education.)
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Assessment: Participants of every LGBTQ+ Ally Workshop and Transgender 101 Workshop, fill out a “Pre-workshop Assessment” and a Post-workshop Evaluation” These results are entered into Qualtrics throughout the year.
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After every OGSD program, students on the Gender and Sexuality Advisory Council provide post-production evaluations of programs.
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OGSD works with the alumni affairs director to reactivate Green Pride and revive communication with members of the Green Pride listserv.
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2017-18
Melina Calmon Silva, a graduate student in forensic anthropology, becomes the first graduate assistant for OGSD; this position is funded by Newcomb College.
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2016-17
A graduating student and her father make a gift to OGSD for $5000.
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Center for Academic Equity secures funding from the Newcomb College Institute to support a 9-month part time OGSD graduate assistant.
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2015-16
Mosaic Lounge undergoes a remodel, with new paint and furniture, and a remediation of mold, funded by HRL.
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OGSD Representation on Committees
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2017-Present
Wave of Change Sexual Violence Prevention Taskforce, President’s Office (Undergraduate Prevention Subcommittee)
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2016-Present
President’s Commission on Race and Tulane Values, (Curriculum Subcommittee)
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2013-Present
Faculty Senate Committee on Equal Opportunity; (report to faculty on gender and sexuality issues and initiatives)
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2012-Present
Sexual Violence Prevention Committee, theWELL
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2009-Present
Executive Committee of the Gender and Sexuality Studies Program (course approvals, hiring, events, curriculum, etc.), School of Liberal Arts.
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2016-17
Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, Division of Student Affairs
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2015-16
Student Leadership Development Committee, Division of Student Affairs
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Professional Development Committee, Division of Student Affairs
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2014-15
Student Resources Conduct Hearing Advisor, Student Resources
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2013-16
Advisory Board Member of the Center for Engaged Learning and Teaching’s Changemaker Institute
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2012-16
Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Taskforce, OIE
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2011-2014
Feminist Film Series Committee, Newcomb College Institute
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Campus Partner Collaborations and Initiatives
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2017-Present
Lavin Bernick Center for Student Life partners with OGSD and GSAC to provide space, publicity and funds for late night programming each semester.
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Lavin Bernick Center for Student Life provides space and funds for OGSD to host a Tulane Tuesdays
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HRL collaborates with the O to establish the RLC Kaleidoscope.
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Gender and Sexuality Studies provides funds to sponsor Pride and Audre Lorde Day events.
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2016-Present
Amistad Research Center collaborates with OGSD for Audre Lorde Days and Conversations in Color (Janet Mock & Alexis Deveaux, Alicia Garza & Elizabeth Alexander)
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Center for Academic Equity is founded in 2016 and begins having regular meetings with OGSD to discuss support for LGBTQ+ students.
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Center for Academic Equity secures funding from Newcomb College for one grad assistant position for OGSD.
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2015-Present
Student Health Services initiates a Gender & Sexuality Health Clinic, a time set aside each week for students to feel welcome.
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Student Health Services sends staff of theWELL and the Health Center to a national conference focused on Transgender Health Care.
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2013-Present
Gender and Sexuality Studies Program co-funds the annual LGBTQ+ BBQueer Welcome Dinner.
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2012-Present
Housing and Residence Life (HRL) maintains and updates the MOSAIC Lounge, a designated safe space in Warren Hall for LGBTQ+ student leaders to hold meetings, socials, and other events.
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2017-18
OGSD staff replaced theWELL staff in providing advising support to “Glam Jam,” the updated version of Ms. Paul Tulane; however, theWELL continues to fund this event.
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The suicide prevention grant from theWELL, which funded the Kognito LGBTQ+ 101 online training module, comes to an end and so does that online training.
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Reily Recreation Center organizes brings Chris Mosier, (first known out transgender athlete on a U.S. national team, an LGBTQ rights activist, and a policy consultant for inclusive practices) to campus for a lecture. He is the founder of transathlete.com and has been featured in a Nike commercial, the ESPN body issue, and Rolling Stone Magazine.
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2016-17
Newcomb Art Gallery partners with OGSD on Audre Lorde Days.
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2016-17
Reily Recreation Center sets a new standard in inclusivity upon completion of renovations; all locker rooms provide privacy, which creates an inclusive space for trans and gender variant students.
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The Registrar’s Office and Technology Services collaborate to create inclusive data collection systems for students preferred names and pronouns.
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2016-17
Card Services creates new policy to allow students to have one free of charge replacement of their student ID card (due to a name change or physical appearance change)
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2015-2017
theWELL funds an online LGBTQ+ 101 online training module, called Kognito, funded by a suicide prevention grant; all first-year students are encouraged to take the training.
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2015-16
Reily Recreation Center ensures that their lockers, showers and restrooms are entirely gender inclusive when it undergoes major renovations. The architect consults with OGSD along the way.
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2014-15
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) establishes a support group for gender variant students, Spectrum
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2013-15
Gender and Sexuality Studies co-funds promotional cup giveaways for first year students.
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2013-14
Newcomb College Institute (NCI) collaborates with OGSD to choose annual Marla Custard lecture; NCI organizes, funds and publicizes the lecture and hosts a dinner with a small group of students and faculty. Invited guests include:
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2013-14
Student Health Services updated its intake forms and data collection tools to be gender inclusive.
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2012-16
theWELL planned and hosted the annual Ms. Paul Tulane and Mr. Sophie Newcomb Drag Show to promote awareness about sexual health among attendees
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2012-13
Reily Recreation Center creates lockers in public areas for students who cannot safely use sex-segregated locker rooms; also changes single-occupancy shower/bathroom to read “Gender Neutral.”
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Individual Student Leaders’ Initiatives
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2013-present
Students run, win and serve on student government in wake of USG resisting the acceptance of GSAC as a USG council
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2017-18
Glam Jam: A Queer Variety Show planned and executed for the second year, this time with OGSD as the primary advisor.
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2016-17
Glam Jam: A Queer Variety Show is established by first year LGBTQ+ students who seek to create a cultural event that is by and for LGBTQ+ students; Miss Paul Tulane is retired as it was increasingly seen as a voyeuristic event rather than an LGBTQ+ cultural space.
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2014-15
LGBTQ+ senators on Undergraduate Student Government (USG) create a position on the Executive Board: Diversity and Inclusive Excellence Committee
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2014-15
Student Leaders Apply to Attend National “Creating Change” Conference: This year 4-5 LGBTIQA undergraduates will apply to represent their organizations at the National Lesbian and Gay Taskforce “Creating Change” Conference in Denver, Colorado in February.
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2014-15
USG Funds Student Leaders to Attend LGBT Leadership Camp, Camp Pride
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2013-2016
Students run, win and serve on Tulane Undergraduate College Programs (TUCP) to increase inclusive campus-wide cultural programming
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2013-14
Undergraduate students organize the first and only Audre Lorde Research and Art Symposium to highlight student research and art at this day-long symposium; included panels, paper presentations, art displays, short film screenings, performances and more to highlight the work that Tulane students are producing at the intersections of race, class, sexuality, and gender. It was 100% student-led, organized, and moderated. Sponsored by the Queer Feminist Collective (QFC), Black Student Union (bSU), and Vagina Monologues.
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LGBTQ+ Student Organizations’ Initiatives
Gender and Sexuality Advisory Council (GSAC)
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2012-13 |
OGSD establishes an advisory council, comprised of student leaders from LGBTQ+ student groups to guide the work of OGSD.
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2012-13 |
OGSD invites several first-year students to apply to be on the advisory council so that they could begin to be mentored by older student leaders. There are currently two first-year students on the council, representing first-year student perspectives.
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2012-13 |
Students advocate for GSAC to become an officially recognized voting council within Undergraduate Student Government (USG). The students of GSAC request a representative, similar to the Multicultural Council (MCC) representative, to inform and represent gender and sexuality related issues on campus to the Undergraduate Student Government (USG); though unsuccessful at first, they continue to advocate for a council position with the support of the Black Student Union and MCC. By the end of the spring semester, GSAC gains a position on USG and GSAC chair begins attending USG.
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2012-13 |
Successfully established GSAC as a USG-funded Council; however, voting rights of all councils were taken away; GSAC would have a voice in USG but not vote.
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2012-Present |
Advised director of OGSD on university-wide issues of diversity and inclusivity.
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2012-Present |
Tabled on the quad during Pride Week.
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2012-Present |
Tabled on the quad for Transgender Day of Visibility.
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2012-16 |
Attended a one-day on-campus Spring leadership retreat for LGBTQ+ student organizations.
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2013-14 |
Began representing LGBTQ+ student orgs on USG.
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2013-14 |
Encouraged TUCP to create a more diverse culture on campus by inviting diverse speakers and performers; TUCP directions committee brings Lavern Cox and Angela Davis to campus.
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2014-15 |
Encouraged TUCP to create a more diverse culture on campus by inviting diverse speakers and performers; TUCP provides significant funding to bring |
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2015-16 |
GSAC brings problem posed by sex-segregated restrooms to USG. After review, during the spring of 2016, USG passed a resolution, which recommended that each building across the university designate a Gender-Neutral restroom and that all new and renovated buildings include a gender-neutral restroom. |
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2015-16 |
Encouraged TUCP to create a more diverse culture on campus by inviting diverse speakers and performers; TUCP provides significant funding to bring |
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2016-17 |
Encouraged TUCP to create a more diverse culture on campus by inviting diverse speakers and performers; TUCP provides significant funding to bring |
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2017-18 |
Encouraged TUCP to create a more diverse culture on campus by inviting diverse speakers and performers; TUCP provides significant funding to bring |
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2013-14 |
USG Recommends & Passes Resolution to Recommend that Tulane Use Preferred Names on Identification: GSAC chair represents to USG the difficulties posed by Splash Cards and class rosters that do not accurately represent the chosen names of trans and international students; USG votes to recommend to the university that students be able to use their chosen names on Splash cards, class rosters, and other databases throughout the university.
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2014-15 |
Encouraged TUCP to create a more diverse culture on campus by inviting diverse speakers and performers; TUCP directions committee brings
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2014-15 |
USG Recommends & Passes Resolution to Recommend that
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2012 |
Gamma Rho Lambda founded. |
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2012-Present |
GRL stablished, planned and executed Tulane’s first ever Pride Prom.
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2012-Present |
GRL donated the proceeds of Pride Prom to BreakOUT! the local and nationally recognized grassroots organization that aims to end the criminalization and police brutality against LGBTQ+ youth of color; they also establish an ongoing philanthropic relationship.
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2013-14 |
Trans-identified student inducted into GRL.
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2013-14 |
Queer Feminist Collective founded; established by Jessica Callahan, who served as the first President, Queer Feminist Collective was created as a space on campus for students who wanted to discuss feminist and queer history, current events, theories, etc. Intended to be more of a salon than a social space.
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2014-15 |
Queer Student Alliance (QSA) created one page “LGBTQ+ Ally Guides” to be placed in every dorm room for new students.
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Tulane Society for Sexuality, Gender and Health (TSSHAG)
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2014-15 |
Tulane Society for Sexuality, Gender and Health (TSSGH), a graduate student organization in Public Health is founded. They spearhead a collaboration between OGSD and the School of Public Health in which Dr. Tremmel offers annual workshops to grad students and faculty.
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Tulane Undergraduate Student Programs (TUCP)
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2016-17 |
TUCP invites, funds and organizes event with Moonlight screenwriter and Oscar winner Tarell Mcraney.
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TUCP provides significant co-programming funds to bring author Janet Mock to campus.
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TUCP provides significant co-programming funds to bring actress and activist Lavern Cox to campus.
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TUCP invites, funds and organizes event with celebrity transgender author Chaz Bono.
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TUCP invites, funds and organizes event with author and scholar Angela Davis.
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2014-15 |
Red Vaughan Tremmel, “The Spaces and Places of Scholarship: LGBTQI Populations and Conference Siting Policies” International Studies Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA (2015).
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2014-15 |
Red Vaughan Tremmel, “Establishing Services, Support and Programming for LGBTIQA Youth,” United Nations Korean Delegation on LGBT Rights, New Orleans, LA (2015).
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2014-15 |
Red Vaughan Tremmel, “Instituting LGBTIQA 101 Trainings at Your College,” Delgado Community College, New Orleans, LA (2015).
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2013 |
This past semester I participated in the Anna Julia Cooper Seminar and the Imagining America committee. I was also invited to give the Sandberg Series 04 lecture and teach several workshops on gender and sexuality at the Goethe Institute in Amsterdam in the Spring/Summer. |
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2011-13 |
Serve on Transgender Caucus, National Women’s Studies Association |
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2010 |
Transformations: The Journal of Inclusive Scholarship and Pedagogy, October 2010. Served as a reviewer for the journal’s special issue: “Teaching Sex” |
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Awards & Grants
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2012-13 |
Gender and Sexuality Advisory Council (GSAC) first-year Representative, Preston Mills, receives the Crest Award for “Outstanding Emerging Leader” Jessica Callahan, GSAC Chair, receives funding and attends the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce’s “Creating Change” conference.
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2012-13 |
Queer Student Alliance (QSA) president, Mark Labradorf, receives the “Outstanding Leader” award from Camp Pride, a national leadership organization for LGBTQ+ undergraduates.
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2012-13 |
Gamma Rho Lambda (GRL) receives the “Chapter of the Year Award” from their national office.
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2012-13 |
OGSD director, Dr. Red Tremmel, is named to New Orleans Magazine “2012 People to Watch.”
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2012-13 |
USG Funds Student Leaders to Attend LGBT Leadership Camp, Camp Pride
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2013-14 |
Gamma Rho Lambda (GRL) receives the “Exemplary Practice ” Crest Award for their event Pride Prom.
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2013-14 |
OGSD director, Dr. Red Tremmel, receives “Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year” from the Undergraduate Student Government (USG).
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2013-14 |
USG awards funds to 3 student leaders to attend “Camp Pride,” a week-long LGBTQ+ leadership retreat.
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2013-14 |
GSAC chair, Jessica Callahan receives the “Tulane 34 Award,” which annually recognizes 34 graduating students for their distinguished and exemplary leadership, service and academic excellence.
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2013-14 |
Tulane University is awarded 4 out 5 Stars for “LGBT Friendliness” by Campus Pride, a national organization of LGBTQ+ higher education professionals.
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2014-15 |
Tulane Ranked as One of the Best LGBT Campuses Nationwide by Campus Pride: After evaluating 600 colleges and universities throughout the nation, Campus Pride names Tulane University in the top 50; there was no ranking within that list.
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2014-15 |
The Advocate names Tulane one of “7 Brave Campuses for LGBT Students of the South” |
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2014-15 |
Lambda Literary Award, Best Anthology (2015) My essay “Industrial Capitalism and Emergent Sexual Cultures,” was part of the award winning anthology Understanding and Teaching U.S. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History, eds. Leila Rupp and Susan K. Freeman (University of Wisconsin Press, 2014). “No book has combined the scholarship, methods of teaching, and source guides as this one does.”—Estelle Freedman, Stanford University, author of Intimate Matters: A History of Sexuality in America
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2015-16 |
Tulane University is awarded 5 out 5 Stars for “LGBT Friendliness” by Campus Pride, a national organization of LGBTQ+ higher education professionals.
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2017-18 |
Caroline Scott, OGSD Program coordinator, receives the “Tulane 34 Award,” Newcomb College Institute “Under the Oaks Award,” “Oak Wreath Award,” “Highest Cumulative GPA Award” and Student Affairs Crest “John Stibbs Award.”
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2017-18 |
Sarah Jones, LGBTQ+ Subcommittee Member of the One Wave Taskforce to End Sexual Violence, receives Crest “Emerging Leader Award” and NCI “Under the Oaks Award.”
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2011-present |
Dr. Tremmel is named a Newcomb College Institute Fellow. |
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Future Goals & Best Practices |
The following areas, listed in order of priority, are those that OGSD and student leaders have identified as most pressing and important to the future of gender and sexual diversity at Tulane University. Beneath each goal are recommendations, many of which are based on best practices that are currently in use by leaders in the field.[1]
Emotional and Social Support for Trans* and Gender Variant Students
Over the past two years it has become evident that trans* and gender variant students are most at risk for depression, intragroup conflict, dropping out, and suicidal ideation. For this reason it is imperative that we support students in getting trans* competent individual therapy; professional therapeutic support in a group setting; sustaining and developing peer-based student organizations; and positive programming, such as the artist in residence project.
Facilities: People of all gender identities and expressions require access to safe restroom facilities that are not sex-segregated. Two types of restrooms can accommodate individuals of all gender identities and expressions: single-occupancy, gender-inclusive restrooms (used by one person at a time) and all-gender restrooms (multiple, lockable stalls but used by anyone). Any single-occupancy restroom can easily be converted to a gender-inclusive restroom by changing its signage. To convert multiple-occupancy restrooms, institutions can either change them to all-gender restrooms via signage or change them to single-occupancy, gender-inclusive restrooms via renovation. OGSD recommends the following, in keeping with best practices:
Addressing Bias, Discrimination & Hate
Because transphobia and anti-transgender bias characterize the national climate, safety is often a significant concern for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals when they arrive on campus. Regularly reconstituted, institutions of higher education are not immune to the transphobic practices and biases that circulate more broadly. In one higher education survey by Rankin, Weber, Blumenfeld, and Frazer (2010), “thirty-nine percent of transmasculine respondents, 38 percent of transfeminine respondents, and 31 percent of gender non-conforming respondents reported experiencing harassment…a significant number of transmasculine respondents (87%) and transfeminine respondents (82%) indicated their gender expression was the basis for harassment”. For this reason, it is important that we effectively (1) support those who experience transphobia and anti-transgender bias (2) increase the number and effectiveness of allies to members of Tulane’s community who identify as trans* (3) implement educational programs and workshops that create a welcoming and inclusive climate for all students. OGSD recommends the following, in keeping with best practices:
Leadership Development
By their second or third year working within GSAC, many students are ready for more in-depth leadership development. To keep these students engaged throughout their final years, it will be important to not only provide them with support and community, but also the tools to be life long effective leaders. Students in the spring leadership retreat said they want for education on time management, self-care, avoiding burn-out, dealing with apathy in the university, cooperation amongst groups, diversifying memberships, vision and mission development, creating open and safe spaces, clarifying roles, motivating and retaining membership over the semester, developing relationship with local and national LGBTIQA groups and leaders, leadership transition, successful co-programming, planning ahead, delegating responsibility, working with larger organizations such as USG and TUCP, and building budgets.
[1] Best practices were determined by information gathered at the 2013 Consortium of Higher Education conference, through phone consultations with leading practitioners Genny Beemyn at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Dorthea Bauer at the University of Vermont, webinars, and the following published research: Pasha Mikalson, Seth Pardo, and Jamison Green, “First, Do No Harm: Reducing Disparities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Populations in California,” The California LGBTQ Reducing Mental Health Disparities Population Report (2011); Emily Johnson and Allison Subasic, “Promising Practices for Inclusion of Gender Identity/Gender Expression in Higher Education,” Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals (2011); Megan R. Yost and Stephanie Gilmore, “Assessing LGBTQ Campus Climate and Creating Change,” Journal of Homosexuality 58:9 (2011): 1330-54.