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# 'Misgendering' is 'harmful and violent', says university LGBTQ+ centre
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/misgendering-is-harmful-and-violent-says-university-lgbtq-centre/
- Published: 2026-09-08T12:08:14.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-08T12:08:14.000Z
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: North America

A United States university's guidance encouraging staff to respect trans students' names and pronouns has become the latest flashpoint in the ongoing debate over trans inclusion in higher education.

**West Chester University**'s **Centre for Trans and Queer Advocacy** advises faculty that "misgendering" and "deadnaming" trans people can be harmful, and encourages staff to create more inclusive learning environments by respecting students' identities and sharing their own pronouns. According to the guidance, repeatedly referring to someone using the wrong name or gender can cause distress and negatively affect their wellbeing.

The resource, *Faculty Guide to Supporting Trans & Queer Students*, forms part of a broader package of support offered by the university's LGBTQ+ centre, which also provides resources on name changes, community support and trans visibility initiatives.

Advocates for trans inclusion have long argued that respecting a person's name and pronouns is a basic sign of dignity and recognition. Research has consistently linked affirming environments with improved mental health outcomes for transgender and non-binary young people, while experiences of misgendering and discrimination have been associated with increased levels of stress and isolation.

The guidance has attracted criticism from some free speech organisations, which argue that public universities should not compel staff to use particular language. Groups including the **Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression** (FIRE) have raised concerns about how universities balance protections for trans students with First Amendment free speech rights.

The debate comes amid a wider culture war in the United States over trans rights, with schools, colleges and universities increasingly finding themselves at the centre of disputes over pronouns, inclusive policies and LGBTQ+ equality.

Supporters of trans-inclusive policies argue that recognising a student's gender identity is comparable to using a person's correct name and helps foster a respectful educational environment. They also point out that many universities have introduced pronoun-sharing initiatives as a way of normalising conversations around gender identity and reducing stigma for trans and non-binary students.

West Chester University's guidance asks faculty members to consider how they can support trans and queer students both inside and outside the classroom, and suggests practical steps such as including pronouns in email signatures, on Zoom profiles and on business cards.