Gender and Sexuality
Community Gender and Sexuality
The Gender and Sexuality Knowledge Community endeavors to advocate alongside and support trans & queer professionals in higher education. We provide community space, educational development, and uplift our communities within and beyond the NASPA organization.
Message from the Chairs
Welcome to the Gender and Sexuality Knowledge Community (GSKC)!
We are honored to serve as co-chairs of this incredible community of queer and trans professionals, educators, advocates, and leaders. The GSKC exists because of the care, labor, creativity, and commitment of people who believe higher education can and should be a more affirming, equitable, and joyful space for all.
As a leadership team, we strive to foster a community grounded in collaboration, authenticity, critical dialogue, and care for one another as whole people. Through our monthly meetings, programs, partnerships, and conversations, we hope to create space not only for professional growth and advocacy, but also for connection, mentorship, and belonging.
There are many ways to engage with the GSKC, and we encourage you to get involved! Whether you are presenting a program, writing for the Lavender Papers, mentoring emerging professionals, helping shape initiatives behind the scenes, or simply showing up in community with us, your presence matters deeply.
Thank you for bringing your experiences, perspectives, and humanity into this space. We are grateful to be in community with you and excited for what we will continue building together.
With appreciation,
Dr. Camden Doolittle (they/them)
Travis Tucker Jr. (he/him)
About
Our Purpose
The Gender & Sexuality Knowledge Community is NASPA’s place for professionals, students, and those interested in gender and sexuality issues to connect. We provide education and support for the diverse LGBTQIA2S+ community through scholarship, advocacy and engagement.
Our History
During the July 2016 Board of Director’s meeting our proposal to formerly change the name of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender KC to the Gender and Sexuality KC was approved. This change was made to continue to meet the needs of our membership and to be more inclusive in the work we do.
We continue to build subcommunity spaces (Indigenous, Latinx/a/o, Womxn, and more) to provide affinity and solidarity across difference.
Our Vision
Each campus is safe, affirming and inclusive for all students, staff and faculty.
Our Values
Advocacy - Community - Inclusion - Openness
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Get Involved
The Gender and Sexuality Knowledge Community provides numerous ways for NASPA members to get involved.
If you want to quickly communicate with other members, jump right into the conversation by following us on Twitter and like us on Facebook. Also, be sure to subscribe to our listserv. These platforms are a great way to see opportunities for involvment including writing for our newsletter, serving on selection committes, and submit research articles!
Leadership Team
Knowledge Community leaders are NASPA volunteers who have generously devoted their time to their Knowledge Community. Chairs are elected by the Knowledge Community members while Regional representatives are selected from within the Region. Additional roles are selected by the Knowledge Community.
Events
One of the best resources available to you is the wide range of professional development opportunities. This list contains both our “Hosted Events,” workshops and webinars that we plan and manage, and some “Related Events,” hosted by the NASPA Central Office or other NASPA Constituent Groups. To see a full listing of NASPA events, please see the Events page.
Resources
The Gender & Sexuality Knowledge Community is committed to providing a breadth of knowledge and support to professionals and students. Take a look through our Resources page for some information that may be of use. Make sure to check out the GSKC Lavender Papers* which exhibit some of the work and research being done by our members. (The name of the White Paper was changed in 2021 to Lavender Paper to reflect our ongoing commitment to culturally relevant references and language about gender and sexuality. Previously published resources will retain the White Paper name for citation and indexing purposes.)
Lavender Papers
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2024 Lavender Paper - 3/2024 |
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2023 Lavender Paper - 3/2023 |
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2022 Lavender Paper - 3/2022 |
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2019 Spring White Paper - 3/2019 2018 Spring White Paper - 3/2018 |
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2017 Spring White Paper - Published 3/2017 2016 Spring White Paper - Published 3/2016 |
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2015 Spring White Paper - Published 3/2015 |
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2014 Fall White Paper - Published 9/2014 |
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2014 Spring White Paper - Published 3/2014 |
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2013 Fall White Paper - Published 09/2013 |
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2013 Spring White Paper - Published 03/2013 |
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2012 Fall White Paper - Published 09/2012 |
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2012 Spring White Paper - Published 03/2012 |
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2011 Fall White Paper - Published 09/2011 |
Campus Resources
The Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) has a set of Standards and Guideliens (SAGs) for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Programs and Services approved by the 47 organizations who comprise CAS. These the LGBT Program and Services SAGs can be purchased from the CAS store.
National Organizations
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
As America's largest gay and lesbian organization, the Human Rights Campaign provides a national voice on gay and lesbian issues. HRC is a bipartisan organization that works to advance equality based on sexual orientation and gender expression and identity, to ensure that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGTLF)
NGLTF is the national progressive organization working for the civil rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, with the vision and commitment to building a powerful political movement.
National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allies Concerns Commission
A compilation of resources, links, and basic information for academic advisors about the LGBT community. It tends to have an academic focus but is also aimed at student affairs professionals who work in academic advising.
National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE)
Founded in 2003, NCTE is a social justice organization dedicated to advancing the equality of transgender people through advocac, collaboration and empowerment.
Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
PFLAG is a national non-profit organization with over 80,000 members and supporters and more than 460 affiliates in the United States.
The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals officially started at the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force's Creating Change Conference in San Diego (November, 1997) but we have been working together on an informal basis for several years. The combined vision and mission on the Consortium is to achieve higher education environments in which lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni have equity in every respect.
Transgender Law Center
The Transgender Law Center (TLC) is a civil rights organization advocating for transgender communities in California. TLC utilizes direct legal services, public policy advocacy, and educational opportunities to advance the rights and safety of diverse transgender communities.
Sylvia Rivera Law Project
The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) is a collective organization founded on the understanding that gender self-determination is inextricably intertwined with racial, social and economic justice. The SRLP works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence.
Power of One Conference
The Power of One conference is a student leadership conference jointly sponsored by NASPA Region V and the Northwest LGBT Board of Directors. Each year it is held at a different institution of higher education in the Pacific Northwest. This conferences allows students, faculty and staff to explore issues related to LGBT communities.
Latinx Resources
The Gender & Sexuality KC works collaboratively with the Latinx/a/o KC to promote gender identity, gender expression, and racial inclusion. The Latinx Inclusion Co-Chairs serve on both the Gender & Sexuality KC and Latinx/a/o KC, as they liaise and engender the relationship between the two Knowledge Communities. Visit Latinx Resources for more information.
Gender and Sexuality KC Awards
Past award recipients include:
Co-Chair Award
- 2015 - Dominiece Hoelyfield, Assistant Director and Shaun Travers, Ed.D, UC San Diego
- 2016 - Jake Frazier, American University
- 2017 - Bobby Kunstman, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Exemplary Program Award
- 2014 - The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies
- 2015 - University of Houston’s Pride Partners Program
- 2016 - LGBT and Ally Network of Support, Fordham University
- 2017 - Queer Lives Series, Illinois Wesleyan University
Intersectional Inclusion Award
- 2021 - Dirk Rodricks
- 2022 - Sergio Gonzalez
New Professional Award
- 2013 - Emily Mears, Tuft Univesity
- 2014 - Zaneta Rago, Rutgers University
- 2015 - Corey James Benson, Texas State Univeristy
- 2017 - Missy Dominquez, University of Washington, Bothell
- 2022 - Jessica Rubinsky
Research Award
- 2013 - Tom Bourdon, Tufts University
- 2015 - Brandon B, Barile, Director of Residenial Education
- 2016 - T.J. Jourian, Loyola University Chicago
- 2017 - Antonio Duran, Ohio State University and Vince Bowhay, Campus Success Campus Labs
Service to NASPA Award
- 2013 - Dr. Brit Katz, Millsaps University
- 2014 - Ryan Gove, University of Kansas Medical Center
- 2016 - Alex Cabal, Babson College
- 2017 - Brian Medina, Frostburg State University
- 2021 - Antonio Duran
- 2022 - Colleen Lofton
Service to Student Affairs Award
- 2014 - Dr. R. Bradley Johnson, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
- 2015 - Darryl Holloman, Georgia State University
- 2016 - Joshua Moon Johnson, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- 2017 - Matt Johns, The University of Texas at Dallas
- 2021 - Jim Wildason
- 2022 - Hugo Yepez
GSKC Policy Statements
The GSKC periodically issues alone or joins in solidarity with other organizations to issue statements and calls to actions on topics relevant to our mission and goals. Those statemnents are released via email and shared acxross social media platforms. The folowing is a collection of recent statement sissued by the Knowledge Community. Please review our policy statement protocol and copntact a core team member to request consideration of a issue in the news or emergent controversy society that you wish us weigh in on.
GSKC Opposes Anti-Asian & Anti-Immigrant Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia (May 2020)
GSKC Black Lives Matter Statement (June, 2020)
Statement on Anti-Trans State and Federal Legislation (April 2021)
"Extend Your Zone" State Legislation & Transgender Rights" Handouts
The handouts here provide context and opportunities to expand their aewaress, knowldge and skills around gender and sexuality in order to serve the needs of trans and nonbinary community members.