Policy Uncertainty at Angelo State Over LGBTQ and Trans Topics

Faculty at Angelo State University are expressing confusion and concern over a set of vague and shifting policies that limit discussions of gender identity on campus.

According to reporting by Inside Higher Ed, last Friday university employees were initially instructed not to display pride symbols, use students’ preferred pronouns or names (if they didn’t match their sex assigned at birth), or discuss topics involving transgender identity. 

After faculty members raised questions, some of these rules were eased. As of this week, staff can now refer to students by their chosen names, display rainbow flags in personal spaces like offices and vehicles, and engage in conversations related to LGBTQ identities. However, transgender topics remain off-limits, based on emails shared with faculty and reviewed by Inside Higher Ed.

The guidance was reportedly revised following a meeting between university deans, the provost, and legal counsel. Despite this, many employees are still unclear on what is allowed, especially when it comes to classroom discussions. For instance, while students currently working on papers about transgender identity can continue their projects, it’s uncertain whether they’ll be permitted to present them publicly.

Adding to the confusion, not all departments have received the updated guidance. Some staff members are still responding to the stricter version of the rules that were first communicated last Friday.

Brian Evans, president of the Texas Conference of the American Association of University Professors, told Inside Higher Ed that the lack of written policies appears to be intentional. As of now, university leadership has not issued a formal statement clarifying the rules or how they’ll enforce.