Title IX and the LGBTQ+ Community
LGBTQ+ individuals are at greater risk for being victimized by acts of sexual violence and experience higher rates of gender based and sexual discrimination.
Title IX, Title VII, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and the Worcester State University Title IX policy collectively prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression and sexual identity. Worcester State is committed to protecting people of all gender and sexual identities from harassment and discrimination as expressed in our Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Plan.
Note: The Trump Administration’s rescission of the 2016 Office of Civil Rights Guidance on Transgender Students under Title IX has no legal effect on Massachusetts public colleges and universities. The Commonwealth itself provides protections to transgender individuals through state legislation and executive orders, and our Equal Opportunity Plan has protected transgender individuals since before the Commonwealth enacted its legislation.
Update: January 20, 2021 - We are happy to update the rescinded guidance from the Trump Administration. See the Executive Order on Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation.