Trustee Election
In response to a questionnaire from the Indiana University Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Alumni Association, four of the five candidates in this year’s IU Board of Trustees election said they would support adding gender identity to IU’s university-wide non-discrimination policy. The supportive candidates were MaryEllen Kiley) Bishop, Crystal T. Brown, Philip N. Eskew Jr., and Sam Locke. Candidate Kelly Burton Smith did not respond to the questionnaire. Voting in this year’s election began May 1 and continues through June 30.
The question asked by the GLBTAA was:
Public and private employers increasingly are adding "gender identity" to their non-discrimination policies. This is intended to prevent discrimination against transgender persons. Approximately 100 colleges and universities have added gender identity to their non-discrimination statements, including seven of IU’s Big Ten peers (Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, and Wisconsin). In addition to discouraging discrimination against our transgender colleagues and students, the GLBTAA believes such a policy sends a message of welcome and inclusion that resonates beyond those who are personally affected by the issue. As a trustee, would you support adding gender identity to IU’s written non-discrimination statement? Please answer yes or no, but feel free to elaborate.
To view a candidate’s response, click on their name:
MaryEllen (Kiley) Bishop
Crystal T. Brown
Philip N. Eskew Jr., MD
Sam Locke
Kelly Burton Smith (no response)
The GLBTAA urges all of its members to vote in this year’s Trustee Election. To vote online or for more information, go to http://trusteeelection.iu.edu. If you prefer to vote by written ballot, you should receive your ballot in the mail by May 15.