The University of Pretoria (UP) adopted the Trans Protocol in 2021 as a guideline to respond to the needs of trans, intersex, gender non-conforming and non-binary staff and students. It supports UP’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, the aim of which is to eradicate discrimination against affected individuals, and to build an inclusive, affirming environment and institutional culture at the University.

Simply put, the Trans Protocol opens up a conversation and a space for anybody who might not be interested in specific categories of gender, in terms of how they identify or how they relate to themselves and other people, explains Pierre Brouard, Deputy Director of UP’s Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G). “The motivation for this document was about asking: what kind of space do we want to create at UP, where everybody – including trans people, and those who are intersex, non-binary and genderqueer – feels welcome?”

The protocol offers a proactive opportunity for heads of departments, centres and units to start the conversation now about gender diversity – before someone announces that they have transitioned or is transitioning. “We shouldn’t just address harm when it’s happened; we should start the protections and preparatory work so that harms don’t happen in the first place,” Brouard says.

“We also considered the fact that many trans and gender non-conforming people face discrimination and harm at higher learning institutions,” he adds. “Though not all of it is intentionally antagonistic; it can also come from a place of misinformation and assumptions around gender.”