LGBTQ+ Support Letter

LGBTQ+ Support Letter
March 3, 2022

Dear Colleagues and Students,
Considering the ongoing wave of anti-LGBTQ, and particularly anti-transgender, legislation, we
believe it is critical that we, as faculty of the Sociology Department, state our unequivocal
support for our LGBTQ+ community. Though attacks on the LGBTQ+ population are not new, in
2021 we saw an unprecedented rise in discriminatory bills and laws targeting the lives and wellbeing
of LGBTQ people across the country. More than 250 bills were introduced, with 17 of
those passing, that have since prevented transgender youth from playing sports and receiving
gender-affirming (and often lifesaving) care, and prevented educators from teaching about
gender identity, expression, and sexual orientation.

We’re only two months into the new year and already 25 similar bills have been introduced,
along with increased fearmongering from politicians, like Governor Abbott in Texas, that has
called on state agencies and civilians to report parents and medical providers for child abuse for
allowing children to receive the care they need and to simply be who they are. To be clear,
while Abbott’s statements do not change current law, they nonetheless have created palpable
anxiety and fear among transgender youth and their families. These acts of political violence
and discrimination also exacerbate the very real physical violence that LGBTQ+ populations, but
particularly black transgender women, already disproportionately endure at the hands of police
and civilians.

Everyone, regardless of gender expression, identity, or sexual orientation, deserves to live free
from fear.

Understandably, many of you may be feeling a mix of anger, sadness, confusion, and
hopelessness because of the current social and political climate. We are right there with you,
but we also know that there is power in education, unity, resistance, and leading with
compassion. With that, we state the following commitments:

• We, as faculty in the Sociology Department, vehemently condemn any action that
discriminates against LGBTQ+ individuals and commit to speaking out against such
discrimination.

• We affirm that LGBTQ+ individuals are not only welcomed but celebrated in our
department and that we will endeavor to support and protect LGBTQ+ individuals on
campus to the best of our ability.

• We commit to learning more about the experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ individuals so
that we can be better faculty, mentors, colleagues, parents, friends, siblings, and allies.

• We commit to teaching our students about gender identity, gender expression, sexual
orientation, systemic oppression towards LGBTQ+ groups, and the many contributions
that LGBTQ+ individuals have made in this county to foster greater equity and inclusion.

• We reject the idea that the dignity or worth of any person – whether due to their
gender or sexuality or race or social status or experience with the criminal legal system
or national origin – is ever up for debate.

• We commit to our roles as producers and disseminators of knowledge and are happy to
answer your questions and provide resources for further learning.

Below is a list of resources for those looking for support on campus, and for more information
about how to support LGBTQ+ populations more broadly.

CPP Pride Center: https://www.cpp.edu/oslcc/pride/index.shtml

Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/

Transgender Education Network of Texas: https://www.transtexas.org/

National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs: https://avp.org/ncavp/

We humbly know that this statement cannot be the end of this conversation. The road ahead
will not be easy. But we welcome dialogue on these issues and commit to approaching
conversations and actions to better support LGBTQ+ populations with an open mind and
compassion.