The SIPS Diversity and Inclusion Council is open to anyone in the SIPS community who would like to participate in building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community in our school.  New voices, viewpoints and energy are always welcome. Read more about the efforts of our working groups. Questions? Email: sips-dicouncil@cornell.edu.

What follows is from the Cornell AgriTech DEI Bulletin.  Many thanks to our colleagues Anna Katharine Mansfield and Amara Dunn, Cornell AgriTech DEI Council co-chairs, who are taking such a strong lead with their DEI efforts.

Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31) is held to celebrate the estimated 2 million transgender and gender nonconforming people in the United States, their accomplishments, and the ongoing work to achieve trans equity and inclusion. It was created in 2009 by Rachel Crandell-Crocker, a transgender woman who wanted a ‘day to celebrate the living’ after attending funerals of transgender homicide victims.

Celebrating- and supporting-transgender people is especially important in the US today, where almost 500 bills limiting trans rights are under consideration. Although New York is one of three states not considering anti-trans legislation, the broader national climate negatively impacts mental health in the LGBTQ+ community, especially for transgender youth, whose rate of suicide ideation was 52% in 2022.

At Cornell AgriTech, our goal is to create an environment where all students, staff and faculty can come to work as their full, authentic self, including those who are transgender, genderqueer, and non-binary. We also acknowledge that gender identity is a new concept for many Americans, and one that has become very politicized, prompting a range of reactions.

Ways to learn about and celebrate transgender Americans:

1. Review the history. Though the word ‘transgender’ wasn’t coined until the 1960’s, humans have always lived outside the gender binary. Notable examples include the ‘two-spirit’ people of indigenous Native Americans, and the acceptance of third-gender ‘transvestites^*’ in pre-World War II Germany. ^*Though it has had different meanings over the years, the term ‘transvestite’ is usually considered derogatory today.  
   
   
2. Learn the jargon. Language addressing gender identity has changed in the last few decades, but GLAAD has an excellent glossary and best-practice list. If you make a mistake and are called on it, apologize briefly and move on- prolonged explanation puts the emotional onus on the other person, which defeats the purpose. 
   
   
3. Think beyond the binary. If your program runs registration for meetings or programs, offer the non-gendered title ‘Mx’ along with Mr., Mrs., Dr., etc. Consider giving attendees the option to share their pronouns to print on nametags, but don’t make it mandatory. Normalize sharing your own pronouns (on nametags, Zoom, email signatures, etc.) as a reminder to not make assumptions about gender. 
   
   
4. Advocate for equal access. In addition to gender neutral titles and language, transgender people list gender-neutral restrooms and inclusive dress codes as their top priorities for workplace inclusion. At Cornell AgriTech, we now have gender neutral bathrooms in Barton Lab, Jordan Hall, Hedrick Hall, the Food Research Lab, and the IPM House, and we’re working to provide gender-neutral spaces in each building.

At Cornell AgriTech, we grow things – like acceptance and celebration of diverse gender identities.