International Day against LGBTphobia 2019: Healthy advances to be pursued for transgender people in higher education and research
Press release - May 17, 2019
May 17, International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT : " International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia ") is every year the occasion to celebrate the advances in the rights of LGBTI+ people. (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and more). It's also a reminder of just how far we still have to go. to achieve real equality for all, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. More and more universities and grandes écoles are taking the measure of these issues, a development reflected in recent announcements by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI) facilitating study and employment conditions for transgender students and staff.
Our associations are delighted with the mobilization of higher education establishments around this issue. With a network of 78 member establishments, CPED is determined to make May 17 a time to rally around the values of equality and the fight against discrimination. Conferences, screenings, workshops, forum theaters, exhibitions: these are just some of the events designed to open up debate within the university community.
See some examples of actions in higher education for May 17
We are also delighted with the progress made by the MESRI with regard to transgender students and staff. These ministerial announcements legitimize the measures already taken by some establishments, while enabling others to be guided in their steps and overcome the reluctance that is still too widespread. Indeed, LGBT+ associations, trade unions and the Défenseur des Droits (French rights watchdog) have all noted that the use of customary first names on university documents is often blocked. We call on establishments to change their practices and bring them into line with the recommendations of the MESRI, the DILCRAH and the Défenseur des Droits. The stakes are high: ensuring equal treatment throughout France.
Our associations have been active for years in the fight against LGBTphobia. Our partnerships with students and LGBT+ associations have enabled our institutions' equality missions to assess the difficulties encountered by students, and to develop policies that meet their needs as closely as possible. This work is far from complete, but we see the Ministry's announcement as a step towards a more egalitarian higher education and research community, free of all discrimination and violence based on gender and sexual orientation.
CONTACTS
CPED Anissa Benaissa, Project Manager anissa.benaissa@ens-rennes.fr 02 99 05 52 88
Collective Education against LGBT-phobia Alexis Guitton alexis.guittonfep@gmail.com
The Other Circle Philippe Amidieu, University project manager philippe.amidieu@autrecercle.org 06 70 56 99 51
Le Refuge Frédéric Gal, General Manager f.gal@le-refuge.org 09 54 92 60 66
SOS homophobie PACA delegation Romain Donda, press relations romain.donda@sos-homophobie.org 06 33 15 34 92