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Exploring Gender Identity in the

Context of Your RA Role
Alexa Forster
University of Washington
March 30, 2015

PAIR & SHARE

Think about a time when you felt that

you were at a disadvantage
because of the gender that you
identify with.

SEX v. GENDER

Sex Gender

Sex: biological

Gender: culturally shaped expression of sexual

differences: the masculine way in which men should
behave and the feminine way in which women should
behave

Evans et al., 2010

Gender norms reinforced from before birth

TRANSGENDER IDENTITY
DEVELOPMENT

Majority of work has come from medical and clinical

psychological perspectives

Bilodeaus (2005) transgender identity development

Exiting a traditionally gendered identity

Developing a personal transgender identity

Developing a transgender social identity

Becoming a transgender offspring

Developing a transgender intimacy status

Entering a transgender community

Evans et al., 2010 (p. 342)

CASE
STUDY
Jayce's Story

CAMPUS PROFILE
Two-year,

on campus living
requirement

Halls

are co-ed with single

gendered floors

All

buildings are at nearly 100%

capacity

STUDENT: JORDAN

Currently living as a man and has

decided to start living as a woman

1st

year student

Enjoys

living on campus and wants

to fulfill residency requirement

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Jordan wants new room assignment with

female roommate

Jordan

has started using female bathroom

and shower facilities to match her gender
identification

Female

residents have expressed

discomfort with this situation

Jordans

parents support her and want the

university to accommodate her request

YOUR TASK

Develop a plan of action for this

case

Utilize

readings, if applicable, and

previous knowledge to aid in your
decision-making

GROUPS OF FOUR

Operations
Housing staff

Community
floor

and building mates

Jordan
Mediator
keeps

time and ensures other three group

members have equal speaking time

GROUP DISCUSSION

Describe action plans

What worked well in group? What were points of

contention?

What is feasible with existing structures? New

construction?

Good practices on college campuses to accommodate

trans students?

REFLECTION

How can you, in your RA role,

support students who are
transgender or gender nonconforming?

QUESTIONS?