Congratulations to the three winners of the University of Pretoria’s (UP) trans awareness competition!

The contest, which formed part of the University’s TransAwareness@UP campaign being driven by the Faculty of Law, was held in recognition of the International Transgender Day of Remembrance (20 November), and to raise awareness about the need for inclusion and anti-discrimination measures for gender-diverse members of the University.

UP students were called on to submit an original short essay, video, audio clip or poster to explain the importance of respecting the pronoun choices of fellow students and staff members, using the theme ‘Moving beyond gender binary in tertiary education’ to guide their submission. Participants were also asked to comment on what they would like to see done to advance gender diversity at UP.

Nafisa Roza, a first-year Psychology student, won first prize for her short video. “I was beyond thrilled when I found out that I had won,” she said. “Sometimes, it can be difficult to find a platform for LGBTQI+ voices in a world that is still learning, so being part of this campaign was so rewarding.” 

Her submission features gender-diverse students chatting about why respecting their choice of pronouns affirms not just their gender identity but also their journey of coming to terms with who they feel they truly are. Roza also offers practical ways to advance gender diversity at UP, such as demarcating gender-neutral bathrooms and actively celebrating Pride.

“All the recommendations I have made in the video are a reflection of years of being in conversation with trans youth, so it’s not about my voice alone,” she said. “My purpose here was to shine the spotlight on the trans and gender non-conforming population. It is important to listen to their stories and their voices!”

She entered the competition because as a cisgender woman who is also queer, Roza found that issues relating to gender are often overlooked. “Many people who aren’t gender non-conforming or transgender may not understand the complexities relating to pronouns. I wanted to make this particular video to amplify trans voices, in conjunction with my own, as a form of solidarity and support with the gender-diverse community. Gender is a construct that all of us are faced with, and there is a lot we still need to learn about it. There is still a lot I have to learn, as well. There shouldn’t be ‘otherness’ when it comes to gender issues. It is not about cisgender versus transgender; there is no “us” versus “them” – when we learn, we learn together.”  

Second prize went to a student in the Faculty of Theology and Religion who identifies as non-binary and who chose to remain anonymous. They took home a Takealot voucher worth R500 for their essay on the moral and ethical considerations of respecting pronouns. “A relationship does not begin with an agreement, but respecting the other person and appreciating who they are,” they wrote.

Another student, who also chose not to be identified, took home third prize, a R200 Takealot voucher, for their essay in which they described the isolation they felt gender-questioning students experienced in Tuks Res and during orientation, and offered recommendations on how to promote gender inclusion at UP.

The winning essays can be read: https://www.up.ac.za/media/shared/1/2021/November%202021/2-essays.zp213060.pdf 

The submissions were judged on the basis of “creativity, clarity and impact, and responsiveness to the need for transgender inclusivity and anti-discrimination”. The winning entries got to the heart of the TransAwareness@UP campaign, which aims to create an environment in which all staff and students feel equally valued, and in which transphobic behaviour is not tolerated. It also seeks to ensure the implementation of the Trans Protocol.

In addition to their submissions, all the entrants were asked why they chose to participate in the competition. “It’s fundamental to respect other people and their gender identities – let’s go back to the most basic thing we were taught as kids: respect,” said one entrant. “This step to further expand diversity at the University of Pretoria will make life easier for students who do not conform to gender norms and current gender standards to fully transition and be able to cope around a diverse group of students,” said another.

Yet another entrant found the process of engaging with the topic at hand cathartic. “Writing this essay brought to light the anger that I did not know existed in me. It is comforting to see that UP is taking steps to advance the inclusion of gender-diverse staff and students, but there is still a long way to go.”

The winning entries will appear on the TransAwareness@UP campaign website which is currently under construction as a means to further enhance awareness around gender inclusion at the University.