Student works to support transgender people on campus

Tristan Smith was selected as one of the Students’ Union’s Inspiring Future Leaders and has been working on a project entitled Trans Inclusion in Education.  Tristan has been working to make changes on campus for the benefit of students, and staff, who identify as transgender, as student writer, Dom Shaw explains.

MOST of us grew up thinking there were boys and girls, and who was which was determined by the sex organs a person was born with.  The transgender rights movement challenges that.  Its advocates say how a person feels determines whether that individual is male, female, both or neither.  People who identify as transgender suffer from discrimination and persecution.  Still, their efforts to gain acceptance and equal rights have made headway in recent years on a global scale.  

Tristan Smith hails from Clifton, a suburb of York, but Tristan by no means has a small-town mind-set.  He is a student at the University of Huddersfield in his second year studying a course in English Literature and Creative Writing, he’s a member of the Inspiring Future Leaders programme and he identifies as transgender.  With help from the University, he’s looking to challenge the persecution that a transgender person might face while on campus, while also implementing lasting policies.  An inherent part of this whole campaign is his insatiable desire to improve the quality of life of his peers.  “I like doing things that improve life for different people.”  It’s the selfless approach of people like Tristan that paves the way for progress in the battle for equality.  

What sets Tristan apart from others is his active role in the fight for the rights of others who are in his situation.  He thinks that there should be more done to aid those who identify as transgender within the education system, and he’s starting with the University of Huddersfield.  This is all being done under the guidance of Raphaella Ward – head of the Inspiring Future Leaders programme.  “I have a lot of contact with her – she’s fantastic,” said Tristan.  “Any area of the University where there’s policy that could affect trans students, I’m looking into it.  Hopefully to improve it, and make it more inclusive.” 

Transgender support

Change is already underway at the University with regard to support for transgender people.  This process began with what the campaign officers deemed was a matter of urgency.  “The officers picked areas that they think are important and that they want people to work on.”  So far Tristan says that together they have managed to achieve two things.  “We now have sexual health kits, which are being re-released.  They have transgender listed as a sexual orientation, on the checkbox sheet – which is just incorrect.  We’re going to be updating that and making it more inclusive.

“The titles on ID cards for the new intake have been removed and this means that people don’t have to be outed by whatever title they have.”  It may seem like a small step towards equality, but small changes, such as this, can have a massive impact on the life of a transgender person.  It doesn’t reduce them to a title, and in doing so, allows them to feel comfortable amongst their peers. 

Tristan explained that without the University’s support in this endeavour, he may not have achieved quite as much as he has, particularly with it giving him the platform necessary to implement the changes.  He stated: “It was the University who encouraged me to campaign for transgender rights.  The officers (at Future Leaders) picked areas that they think are important and that they want people to work on.” 

Trans inclusion

Even as this article is being pieced together, Tristan has been working tirelessly to make the world a safer place for those who identify as transgender, and ensure that any trans people can go out in public without the grinding fear of derision, or worse.  Trans inclusion, particularly the safety of transgender people on campus, is a prominent element of what Tristan is campaigning for. “I’m going to be presenting a paper to the Teaching and Learning Committee with recommendations at their next meeting, and as part of that I’m lobbying them to commit to creating more gender neutral facilities and more inclusive data collection and policies.” 

He’s not alone in this latest venture, and has been backed all the way by employees of the University.  “This is all with the help of the SU, as one of the managers there, Lydia, put a lot of work into this paper too.” 

“I’m also currently working on putting together staff training resources for Students’ Union/University staff, and currently doing some work about equality, diversity and inclusion in sports.  In a field that is dominated by traditional gender norms, perhaps it’s time that someone stood up for those who do not and will not subscribe to this way of thinking.”

Thanks to efforts of Tristan and the workers at the Future Leaders campaign, there have been massive strides made in the marathon headed towards trans equality.  The University can only hope that these changes can be built and improved upon, to make the University of Huddersfield campus a safer place for all.  One thing that does ring true is that the finish line seems to be in sight.  Whatever the outcome here, one thing is for certain: Tristan’s work with the Future Leaders programme will leave a lasting legacy for years to come.

• The Students’ Union Inspiring Future Leaders project aims to take on students who are passionate about engaging students, listening to student concerns and turning them into action during their penultimate year of study.  Students who have an aspiration for leadership and a desire to develop, are chosen, trained and supported to run a project that is linked closely to our elected officers’ objectives.  The students are responsible for planning and running the project and managing the budget.  The projects are:
  - Class/Poverty Commission
  - The Muslim Student Experience
  - Peer Mentoring
  - PGR Peer Mentoring & Support
  - Trans Inclusion in Education
  - Green Campus
  - Safety on Campus
  - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Sport
  - Diversifying 'Give it a Go'
  - The international Student Experience