UHCL alumna brings Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit to campus

Josephine Tittsworth said she broke down in tears of relief in 2006 after the unanimous vote by the University Life Committee (ULC) to change the university’s policies to protect transgender members of the UHCL community. Now, 13 years later, the transgender University of Houston-Clear Lake alumna returns to campus as the university will host the 11th annual Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit (TTNS) June 28-29.

TTNS, a nonprofit organization, was created in 2009 by Tittsworth as a way to continue pushing for equality of transgender students, faculty and staff at institutions and in school districts across Texas.

“In 2009, when we had our very first summit/meeting, there were only three universities with fully inclusive policies that protect transgender faculty, staff and students,” Tittsworth said. “Today there are now over 38 university systems with fully inclusive policies, including the University of Houston System.”

In 2003, Tittsworth was approached by Stephen Sutton, former UHCL dean of students and current vice chancellor of student affairs at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkley), to work on getting the policies at UHCL changed to protect transgender people at UHCL.

“I was afraid because I had never done this before at this level,” Tittsworth said. “However, Dr. Sutton encouraged me to take it on.”

Sutton recalls reaching out to Tittsworth with regard to pushing for more inclusive policy changes.

“I discovered early on through our interactions that we had many ideas and thoughts in common regarding advocacy, particularly in how college students can influence their organizations,” Sutton said.

Looking back, Tittsworth acknowledges the obstacles she faced by trying to push for policy changes at UHCL.

“I was under a microscope for three years while advocating change,” Tittsworth said. “Every little thing I did or said was either uplifting or used against me. I served on the SGA (Student Government Association) for two years while working on this.”

Tittsworth remembers a particular incident in which her advocating for change lead to harassment.

“I use a handicap scooter,” Tittsworth said. “I would leave it outside the classroom and after class I would discover that someone let the air out of the tires. I solved that problem by  replacing them with solid tires, no tube.”

After three years of advocating and negotiating with the ULC, the policy change was approved.

“The opposition on the ULC was intense at times, but over time I was able to garner support from those on the committee,” Tittsworth said.

As executive director of TTNS, Tittsworth explains how the nonprofit organization offers support and resources for institutions of higher education and school districts in Texas seeking to implement inclusive policies.

“We provide research, resources and other forms of support including, but not limited to, onsite assistance for those who work to create social justice change,” Tittsworth said. “We create packets with educational information to assist those in power to make a positive decision. We address school district boards to educate them as well.”

One such instance when TTNS addressed a school district’s board was in fall 2018 in Alvin, Texas. At the time, a male cosmetology student at Shadow Creek High School was given in-school suspension for wearing makeup while on campus.

“Recently, in Alvin ISD they changed their policy of not allowing boys to wear makeup to school,” Tittsworth said. “We had addressed the school board last fall stating that a boy wearing makeup is not dangerous to others and gave each board member a packet. We offered our assistance to help in policy change upon request.”

Now, with the TTNS annual summit being held at UHCL, the organization is celebrating 11 years of achievement. This year’s summit, themed “Back to Our Roots,” will feature various workshops including how to create inclusive policies.

There will also be three keynote speakers including Sutton; Dionne Hill, southwest clinic manager of the Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD; and Ana Andrea Molina, executive director of Organización Latina de Trans en Texas.

As the Saturday keynote speaker, Sutton says he is in favor of transgender rights and supports the work of TTNS.

“I very much support transgender rights and support any organization that has a mission to educate and advocate for the rights of others,” Sutton said. “Given that this is their 11th annual conference, I applaud the organization given the longevity they have achieved.”

Additionally, UHCL’s Office of Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (OSDEI) is sponsoring the summit along with the Social Work Student Organization. Joshua Quinn, coordinator of women, gender and sexuality programs at OSDEI, emphasizes the importance of working with TTNS for the event.

“I believe that partnering with the Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit is important because the work the organization does fall in line with the mission and vision of our office,” Quinn said. “Also, this summit is timely given the increase in violence against transgender individuals and the need for more awareness of the many issues facing the community. This combined with the many bills and campaigns to roll back protections and rights of trans folks adds to the need for these conversations to be had. The summit will provide information to attendees on how we can be allies to our trans people in our community.”

Speaking to how stereotyping of the transgender community is commonplace, Tittsworth expresses that transgender people tend to be viewed via a negative lens.

“People who do not know or are innocently expressing what was taught to them tend to degrade and persecute transgender people,” Tittsworth said. “The persecution runs from personal insults to violent reactions. Currently, in Dallas, there are still four unsolved murders against transgender black people since 2015. We are people who have families, whether chosen or biological, and we care deeply for them.”

Furthering her point, Tittsworth acknowledges her own family.

“I have custody of my 16-year-young grandson,” Tittsworth said. “Additionally, not living with me, I have four more grandsons. I have two daughters. So you see, we have families we care deeply about.”

The summit, Tittsworth notes, is dedicated to advancing and creating change.

“Everything a person learns at the summit can be used to help in advocating on campuses for most any issue,” Tittsworth said.

To learn more about TTNS and the upcoming summit, visit www.txtns.org. To attend the summit, register at www.txtns.org/summit.