October 2018

Dear NCAR and UCAR community,

News reported over the weekend about a possible change in how the federal government defines a person's "sex" has left the transgender community feeling vulnerable and scared.

The New York Times published an article based on a memo it obtained from the Department of Health and Human Services that would establish a legal definition of sex under Title IX. According to the memo, "Sex means a person's status as male or female based on immutable biological traits identifiable by or before birth." This interpretation could exclude transgender and intersex people from legal protections under civil rights law.

We understand how upsetting and frightening this news is to the transgender community and those who care about them. We want to reassure you that UCAR/NCAR stands firm in our support of equity and inclusion for all people, including our transgender and intersex employees and those with trans friends and family. We will be keeping a close eye on any developments and will work to understand what this will mean for you and how UCAR can support you.

If you have been in any way affected by this issue and want to talk more, or if you have questions about our policies and protections for trans employees, visitors, and their families, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us in the Office for Diversity and Inclusion. You can walk over, call us, or email us at any time. If you need additional support, the Trans Lifeline, staffed exclusively by trans people, can be reached at 1-877-565-8860 between 8 a.m.-2 a.m., 7 days a week.

All the best,

Carolyn & Kristen