Campus Dining Today - NACUFS 2023 - 39

Panel sheds light on experiences of
trans & nonbinary college students
Being an ally to the LGBTQ+ community is not about who you are-it's
about what you do, according to Jake Muscato, associate director at
the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Center at the University
of Pennsylvania and speaker/moderator at the general session,
" Building a Supportive Campus environment for Trans and Nonbinary
Students. "
In this deeply personal session at the NACUFS 2023 National
Conference on July 21, Muscato and three panelists took the stage
to share their experiences and perspectives as trans or nonbinary
college students and staff. Prominent themes that emerged were the
importance of authentic listening, respect, kindness, and community,
along with a picture of the complex challenges arising in the campus
space for members of the community.
Muscato kicked off the session by offering definitions and context
for transgender and nonbinary identities and pronouns, along with
expectations and suggestions to maintain a safe space for the
audience and panelists.
" We're discussing some fairly sensitive topics, " Muscato said,
encouraging an attitude of openness, curiosity, humility, and
nonjudgment. " I am trans, but I am not an expert by any means on
what it means to be trans. None of us are. We are only experts on our
own lives and lived experiences. "
Muscato asked what allyship means to each panelist, noting that being
an ally is a verb rather than a noun.
For Anastasia Curtis, a senior at Morgan State University, allyship
looks like acknowledgement, she said-peering into someone,
regardless of their identity or presentation, and responding with
understanding.
" It goes beyond 'am I a man or am I a woman,' " she said. " Who are
they as a person? ... Can you be happy for who they are, standing in
themselves fully, every day? "
Mac Crimmins, a junior at Towson University, noted for them, allyship
looks like listening.
" Allyship starts with exactly what you're doing right now-giving us
your attention, " they said. " At a base level, we appreciate that you are
sitting here, that you're listening to us. "
Wesley Alvers, who recently earned their Master of Social Work
degree from the University of Pennsylvania with an undergraduate
from Tufts University, said that question is complex, yet simple.
Jake Muscato (he/him), speaker/
moderator, associate director, Lesbian Gay
Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Center at the
University of Pennsylvania
Wesley Alvers (they/them), Tufts
University (BA '14), University of
Pennsylvania (MSW '23)
Mac Crimmins (they/them), junior, forensic
chemistry at Towson University, resident
assistant
Anastasia Curtis (she/her), senior, english
(creative writing concentration) at Morgan
State University, resident assistant
* Share your pronouns in introductions,
email signatures, Zoom name, etc.
* Listen to LGBTQIA+ voices and
experiences
* Don't assume gender identity
or sexual orientation
* Use gender inclusive language
* Speak out against homophobia and
transphobia when it happens
* Be aware of your own biases
* Talk to your friends and family
* Continue educating yourself and others
* Be receptive to feedback and education
* Collaborate with LGBTQIA+ groups on
programmatic efforts
* Increase visibility of LGBTQIA+ voices and
perspectives in your work
* Remember that you are human,
you're going to mess up
ALLYSHIP & INCLUSIvITY ON CAMPUS | CAMPUS DINING TODAY
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39
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Ways to be an Ally:
Panel:
Campus Dining Today - NACUFS 2023

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