MONTREAL - Transgender students at Concordia were in the unique position of being able to change their sex, but not their recognized names.
The old policy did not sit right with at least one transgender, who raised the issue. The person, who did not wish to be identified, pursued the battle to use a new name to correspond with a new gender.
According to university advocates, the battle to be respected as a transgender individual is sufficiently difficult without the added burden of being pinned with an outdated and now-inappropriate name.
"If you keep being brought back constantly to your previous gender or your gender that was assigned at birth, then it becomes very, very anxiety-inducing and it's quite dangerous," said Gabrielle Bouchard, of the 2110 Centre for Gender Advocacy.
"Transgenders are at great risk of suicide, up to 26 or 27 percent and they're also at risk for violence," said Bouchard.
"Their name is their daily identity, how they're represented, how they're seen in the world."
The university has now agreed to change its old policy and will now issue ID cards and use new names on correspondence.
"It's also respect for that individual's gender identity to the extent that we are able to do that," said Concordia rep Chris Mota.
The only remnants of the former monicker will be seen on transcripts, which will still be addressed in the old name.
With Concordia administration on board, the advocacy centre hopes it sends a strong message to the whole university community about tolerance.
"When we met with president Lowy, he said yeah, that's a no-brainer, we should do this," said Bouchard. "So how do I feel about this? I think it's amazing."
