Affirming Support for Johns Hopkins' Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Communities

To the Johns Hopkins University and Health System community

Dear Johns Hopkins Community:

As many of you may have read, The New York Times reported on a proposal under consideration by the administration that would limit the federal government's definition of gender under federal civil rights laws (e.g. Title IX) to be an "immutable condition determined by genitalia at birth."

While this proposal has not yet been adopted, we want to assure our community that Johns Hopkins University and Medicine are following this issue closely and to remind you of our policies, programs, and resources in support of our LGBTQ community, especially our transgender, non-binary, genderqueer, and intersex faculty, students, and staff, and our visitors and patients.

Johns Hopkins' policies prohibit discrimination across many categories, including gender identity and/or expression. In addition, Maryland has had statewide protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation since 2001 and gender identity since 2014. This month, a legal ban went into effect in Maryland specific to conversion therapy for minors. As reported in the media, the proposed federal change in how gender is defined does not appear to impact state nondiscrimination legislation or university policy.

We also recognize that reports about this proposal – as well as broader concerns about LGBTQ rights and safety – may be concerning to the LGBTQ community and its allies, and we are dedicated to creating a climate of respect and inclusion that is supportive of our LGBTQ community.

Johns Hopkins has had a longstanding Safe Zone training program; our health benefits provide inclusive options for our transgender community; and for the last year our Office of Institutional Equity has engaged in a joint project to look at all JHU databases and directories to develop a process by which members of our university community can maximize the use of their preferred or chosen name in our various online systems.

As we continue to follow developments at the national level, we want to make sure that you are aware of the Hopkins resources available to our community:

If you are feeling anxious or concerned, counseling services are available.

• The Homewood Counseling Center (https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/counselingcenter/) serves all full-time students enrolled in the Krieger and Whiting schools, all Peabody Conservatory students, and all pre-med post baccalaureate students.
• The Johns Hopkins Student Assistance Program (JHSAP) (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/uhs/SAP.html) serves all other students of Johns Hopkins University.
• The Johns Hopkins Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP) is accessible at http://fasap.org. Both JHSAP and FASAP can be reached by phone at 443-287-7000 or toll-free at 866-764-2317.
• The Office of LGBTQ Life serves as a resource for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and allied student community at Johns Hopkins. Information specific to services and programs available through LGBTQ Life can be found at: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/lgbtq/.
• Information about the services and resources available to patients, practitioners, and faculty through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Johns Hopkins Medicine can be found at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/diversity/about-us/.
• Information about the services and resources available to patients, practitioners, and faculty through the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health can be found at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/center_transgender_health/index.html.

There will be no change to benefits offered to our students, faculty, and staff. Student health insurance at Johns Hopkins has provisions for trans-inclusive care. Hormones and gender-affirming surgery are covered in the same way as any other medical procedure. Employees of JHU and JHMI have similar levels of coverage.

Community members who prefer to use an all gender restroom have this option available to them throughout the Johns Hopkins campuses: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/lgbtq/trans-resources/.

We will continue to share information with all of you as it becomes available or has specific implications for Johns Hopkins. And we will, as always, continue our work to be an inclusive community in which our LGBTQ members, our patients, and visitors know they are a visible and valued part of the work, life, and mission of Johns Hopkins.

Sincerely,

Fenimore Fisher
Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer
Johns Hopkins University

Demere Woolway
Director, Johns Hopkins University Office of LGBTQ Life

Inez Stewart
Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Johns Hopkins Medicine
Interim Chief Diversity Officer, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Paula M. Neira
Clinical Program Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health