Alum returns to campus to lead support, advocacy for Texas transgender community

July 5, 2019 | George Mattingly II

Representatives from colleges and universities across Texas gathered at University of Houston-Clear Lake to learn about research, resources and new ideas to support transgender people at educational institutions at the 11th Annual Texas Transgender Nondiscrimination Summit.

The two-day event was led by Founder and Executive Director of TTNS Josephine P. Tittsworth, who is a UHCL graduate. Topics addressed at the conference included nondiscrimination policies in Texas schools, access to healthcare, transgender activism and more.

“Trans people continue to be murdered and persecuted for who they are,” Tittsworth said. “Our goal here is education. We provide people with the tools, support and resources to learn from each other and help change policies to be more inclusive of gender identity and expression.”

TTNS has roots at UHCL. While she was a student in 2003, Tittsworth was asked by former Dean of Students Stephen Sutton to help change campus policy to protect transgender faculty, staff and students at UHCL. The policy was signed by president emeritus William A. Staples in 2006. As a result, Tittsworth founded TTNS in 2009 to continue the efforts of gaining equality for transgender people across the state.

Daniel M. Maxwell, who served as interim vice president for student affairs, said UHCL continues to evolve in being an inclusive and equitable campus. In 2018, new Coordinator for Women, Gender and Sexuality programs Joshua Quinn joined the Office of Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The office hosted programs like UHCL Pride Week and National Coming Out Day, while Orientation and New Student Programs designated all-gender bathrooms during new student orientation sessions.

Learn more about Diversity and Inclusion at UHCL.