Catholic Women's College Backtracks on Transgender Policy After Outcry
The Observer, reported that Saint Mary's had notified students of an update to its non-discrimination policy, which was approved in June.
Saint Mary's would have considered cis women as well as individuals who "consistently live and identify as women," for admission beginning in fall 2024, according to the college.However, Saint Mary's received backlash after its decision, on social media, and, according to the college, from their own campus community.The LGBTQ+ community, especially the transgender community, has been targeted in recent years as they fight for inclusion and equal rights.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is currently tracking more than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills across the U.S. While progressives push the LGBTQ+ community to be protected, conservatives see them as a threat to gender and sexuality norms.The Saint Mary's College Board of Trustees "reflected on the sense of division we have experienced in our campus community and among our extended alumnae family since this decision was communicated," top-ranking officials at Saint Mary's said in a letter to the college community, which was obtained by Newsweek.The letter, written by Saint Mary's President Katie Conboy and Board of Trustees Chair Maureen Karantz Smith, said that "the Board has decided that we will return to our previous admission policy."The college explained why it chose to change its policy in the first place and its reasoning behind reverting to the old one."When the Board approved this update, we viewed it as a reflection of our College's commitment to live our Catholic values as a loving and just community.
We believed it affirmed our identity as an inclusive, Catholic, women's college," the letter said."It is increasingly clear, however, that the position we took is not shared by all members of our community.
