Trans Activism at Toronto Metropolitan University
For most of TMU's history, the ‘T’ in ‘LGBT’ has been largely ignored. Debates about increasing the number of gender-neutral washrooms on campus to accommodate trans students began in 2004, but often led to misconceptions about the needs and identities of trans people. In recent years, trans activism has become much more prominent on campus and awareness about trans issues has grown massively. The TMU Trans Collective was founded in 2013 and hosts regular meetings and special events, making TMU unique among Canadian universities for housing a trans-specific student club.
An early discussion about gender-neutral washrooms on campus.
Events like this helped foster the trans community and build confidence in transgender people.
Gender neutral washrooms were one of the first major trans issues addressed at TMU.
The Trans-Action for Community Health Forum in 2011 sparked a larger discussion about trans people at TMU.
A newspaper article on the need for awareness of transgender issues at TMU.
In 2013 TMU HR began to offer support to transitioning students.
The RSU Trans Collective was founded in 2013.
The Gender Mix and Mingle is now hosted annually to encourage students to explore their gender expression.
The Trans Day of remembrance is honoured at TMU.
Gender-neutral and universally accessible washrooms are an important, longstanding issue for the trans community at TMU.
TMU facilities are constantly being redesigned and rethought for the purpose of inclusivity.
The Trans Collective has become increasingly active in the 2010s.