Gender and Sexuality
Conservative Legal Group Backs Justice Dept. Investigation Into Harvard’s Admissions Policies
America First Legal Foundation, a conservative legal group founded by senior Trump adviser Stephen Miller, published a letter Wednesday backing a federal investigation into whether Harvard has failed to comply with a Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action.
Harvard Merges Gender Equity and Community Conduct Offices
Harvard announced Monday that it will combine its gender equity and nondiscrimination efforts under a new Office for Community Support, Non-Discrimination, Rights, and Responsibilities in order to unify the University’s Title IX and Title VI compliance efforts.
Harvard College Closes Diversity Offices, Reassigns Staff to New ‘Harvard Foundation’
Harvard College will close its offices for minority students, LGBTQ students, and women and fold their staff under a new Office of Culture and Community, according to a Wednesday message from College Dean David J. Deming.
Judge To Consider Dismissing Claims Against Harvard in Title IX Suit Over Trans Swimmer’s Participation
A federal judge is considering Harvard’s request to be dismissed from a lawsuit filed by three former University of Pennsylvania swimmers alleging it violated Title IX regulations by allowing a transgender swimmer to compete in the 2022 Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships.
Rejecting Grad Union’s Title IX Request, Harvard Asks To Ban External Arbitration in All Discrimination Cases
As it negotiates with its graduate student union, Harvard is looking to excise contract language that lays out antidiscrimination protections and instead shift authority over complaints to policies and procedures maintained by the University.
In Harvard’s Directories, Transgender Students Navigate a Slow and Uneven Name Change System
Transgender students face a longstanding problem with at least two of Harvard's databases — they do not remove legal names for students who use preferred names instead, whether for personal preference or gender identity.
On International Denim Day, Harvard Students Show Support for People Who Experienced Sexual Assault
Hundreds of Harvard students and affiliates wore denim dresses, jeans, and Canadian tuxedos and stopped by the Science Center on Wednesday to honor Denim Day, a global campaign to show support for people who experienced sexual assault.
American Actor Jeremy Pope Discusses Queer, Black Identity and Performance at College Event
Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe, and Tony-nominated actor Jeremy Pope spoke about identity, his upbringing, and navigating the entertainment industry as a queer Black artist during a talk on Thursday afternoon.
Trump Cut Federal Funding to Penn for Transgender Athlete Policies. Could Harvard Be Next?
After the White House suspended $175 million of the University of Pennsylvania’s federal funding last week over the participation of a transgender athlete on the school’s swim team, the funding cut’s legal basis remains murky — and Harvard could be next on the list.
Princess Adedoyin Talabi Faniyi Discusses African Landscape Design at HGSD
Princess Adedoyin Talabi Faniyi of the Osun Sacred Grove in Osogbo, Nigeria and landscape architect Tarna Klitzner based in Cape Town, South Africa emphasized the importance of integrating the environment and architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design’s International Womxn’s Day Keynote Address.
CPS Will Continue Collecting Data on Transgender Students’ Identities, Despite Federal Changes
As the Trump administration rolls back protections for LGBTQ individuals, CPS Interim Superintendent David G. Murphy said district surveys will continue to recognize transgender and LGBTQ identities.
City Council Names Cambridge a Sanctuary City for Transgender and Nonbinary People
The Cambridge City Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring Cambridge a sanctuary city for transgender and nonbinary individuals in their Monday meeting.
Harvard’s Sexual Harassment Policies Adapt to Trump Administration
Harvard will keep its policy protections against sexual misconduct based on gender identity, despite the Education Department’s announcement that it will end the Biden administration’s mandated protections for LGBTQ students.
Harvard Removes Transgender Inclusion Policy From Athletics Site After Trump Signs Executive Order
Harvard Athletics removed a policy on inclusion for transgender athletes from its website Wednesday after President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women from school and college women’s sports.
Judy Norsigian ’70 Awarded PBHA Robert Coles ‘Call of Service’ Award
Judith L. Norsigian ’70, who co-founded the women’s health nonprofit Our Bodies, Ourselves, received the Phillips Brooks House Association’s Robert Coles “Call of Service” award on Friday.
Harvard Institute of Politics Hosts Drag Show to ‘Drag Out the Vote’
Harvard Votes Challenge and the Institute of Politics Gender and Sexuality Coalition hosted a drag show on Wednesday to encourage students to vote in the 2024 election.
Prevalence of Sexual Misconduct Drops Sharply at Harvard, Survey Finds
The prevalence of sexual misconduct at Harvard dropped sharply since 2019, according to results released on Monday from the Higher Education Sexual Misconduct and Awareness survey.
After Student Feedback, Harvard Gender Equity Office Cut Title IX Training Module Time
The Office of Gender Equity revised its Title IX training modules and hired new staff in recent months to increase student and affiliate awareness and use of the office.
A Kansas Challenge to Biden’s New Title IX Rulings is Now Impacting Harvard
Harvard’s Title IX regulations are in limbo — and it’s because of a Kansas court injunction.
Harvard Kennedy School’s Carr Center Launches Global LGBTQI+ Human Rights Program
The Harvard Kennedy School’s Carr Center for Human Rights launched the Global LGBTQI+ Human Rights Program on May 1 to research and address issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals around the globe.
‘Gender-Affirming Slay Fest’: Harvard College QSA Hosts Annual Queer Prom
The Harvard College Queer Student Association held its annual Queer Prom celebration at the Cambridge Queen’s Head Pub on Saturday evening in collaboration with the Office of BGLTQ Student Life.
Harvard Law School Center Sues Louisiana Over Ban on Medical Care for Trans Youth
The Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation filed a lawsuit against the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners and Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill on Jan. 8 challenging a state ban on providing gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors.
Harvard College Women’s Center Kicks Off 2024 Women’s Week With ‘Rooted’ Theme
The Harvard College Women’s Center launched its 18th annual Women’s Week on Monday with the unveiling of a tree sculpture in honor of this year’s theme, “Rooted.”
Amid Ongoing Dean Search, Harvard Kennedy School Affiliates Say Diverse Faculty Should Be Top Priority
As the Harvard Kennedy School searches for its next dean, some affiliates believe increasing gender, racial, and international representation among faculty should be a top priority for the school’s next leader.
Panelists Discuss Abortion Pill Access, ‘Plan C’ Documentary at Harvard Kennedy School Forum
Panelists discussed abortion pill access in the United States at a Harvard Kennedy School forum before a screening of the documentary “Plan C” on Monday.