Statement from VC Spain Bradley and VC Gorden: Progress on Becoming a More Inclusive University

Dear Bruin Community:

At UCLA, we are committed to creating an inclusive learning, working and living community that respects the dignity of all its members and where we can all thrive.

To that end, we have been working hard to help UCLA implement California’s Gender Recognition Act, which created a non-binary gender category on California birth certificates, drivers’ licenses, identity cards and gender-change court orders.

The UCLA Gender Recognition Act Task Force met from 2019 to 2020 and developed a recommendations report (PDF) to guide UCLA as we align our campus with both the Gender Recognition Act and the University of California 2020 Gender Recognition and Lived Name Policy (PDF).

For the past year, an implementation committee has updated UCLA policies, data systems, facilities and practices with the goal that Bruins of every gender identity are able to participate fully in university life.

Since early 2022, the implementation committee has:

Collaborated with the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to support development of the UCLA EDI Education Series module, Understanding Gender and Sexual Orientation: Best Practices for Fostering Inclusion and Preventing Discrimination.
Completed a comprehensive assessment of all gender-inclusive facilities and updated the University’s interactive gender-inclusive restroom map.
Created a multi-stall, all-gender restroom at 185 Kaplan Hall and converted the former men’s restroom near the LGBTQ Campus Resource Center in the Student Activities Center to be all-gender. These are first steps towards our goal of having a gender-inclusive restroom in every building on campus.
Developed a principles document (PDF), to provide campus guidance on the requirements for appropriate use and collection of lived name, pronouns, gender identity and sexual orientation.

We thank all the members of the committee, co-chaired by Director of the LGBTQ Campus Resource Center (CRC) Andy Cofino and Assistant Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management Kelly Schmader, for their dedication and congratulate the committee on its achievements.

While much has been accomplished, the committee continues to recommend changes that will allow further campus progress, including supporting the development of innovative educational materials and gender inclusive classroom practices. More information and updates about the implementation committee’s work are available on the Gender Recognition and Lived Name Policy page on the EDI website.

These changes at UCLA come at a moment when anti-LGBTQ+, and particularly anti-trans, legislation is being promoted in states across the nation. It is imperative that we not give into fear or hostility, and strive to respect the humanity of every member of our community and ensure that equity, diversity and inclusion are core values of the campus — and the society — we strive to build.

Sincerely,

Anna Spain Bradley
Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Monroe Gorden, Jr.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs