From Best to Intentional Practices: Reimagining Implementation of Gender-Inclusive Housing

Abstract

Using findings from a national study of trans* students’ experiences in gender-inclusive housing, we argue student affairs educators must move toward gender-inclusive housing as an intentional—rather than best—practice. We frame this innovation in the practice of gender-inclusive housing through findings related to the need to perform ongoing assessment regarding these housing options as well as challenging the conceptualization of gender-inclusive housing in ways that center cisgender staff members’ fears and feelings.

Notes

¹ It is beyond the scope of this article to detail how such attempts to quantify the trans* community both in the United States and globally. Readers interested in learning more about this topic should review the complete special issue of TSQ: Transgender Studies Quarterly (Vol. 2, Issue 1) titled, “Making Transgender Count.”

² All participants, institutional affiliations, buildings, and locations in this article have been given pseudonyms to mask identities.

³ It is important to note that only two of the professional staff members across all four research sites with whom we met identified as trans*, and neither worked in residence life.