No 'X' on Toledo yet, but gender policy is 'moving in the right direction'

Already, several KU Leuven faculties are equipped with gender neutral restrooms. In addition, email signatures are increasingly accompanied by pronouns, and the university offers diversity and inclusion training for its staff members. 

'There are a number of negative consequences for trans and gender non-conforming students if their identity is disregarded', says Colette van Laar, Diversity Council chairperson and professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Pedagogical Sciences. 'People feel their most comfortable when they can safely express their gender identity.'

'By implementing policies, we can raise awareness and reduce discrimination', Van Laar continues. 'That is of great importance for the wellbeing of both students and staff at our university.'

Toledo changes 

'At present, students can fill out their preferred name in Toledo. I think that is a good initiative', states Rigel, a non-binary student. This name appears on exam lists as well as university mails. 'Lecturers are asked to always use students' preferred names if there is one', explains Thomas Elias Cocolios, senior lecturer and member of the faculty Diversity Council at the Faculty of Science. 

Yet, Cocolios notes that the administrative procedures for gender neutral facilities are not optimized yet: 'The first question prospective students are faced with at KU Leuven is whether they identify as a man or a woman; indicating an 'X' is not possible at present.' 

Van Laar says that a working group is currently examining the revision of the enrollment tool. 'An enhanced tool has already been implemented for international students and staff', she adds. 

'When filling out the wellbeing monitor, there is no option outside of male and female either', Cocolios points out. As such, diversity councils and groups lack insight into transgender students, some of whom identify as non-binary, and the challenges they encounter. 

Pronouns in emails 

'Nowadays, a significant number of university staff mention their pronouns in email signatures, which undoubtedly sends a positive signal', says Rigel. They indicate that such measures make it easier for themself to include their own pronouns as a non-cis person: 'It definitely lowers the threshold.' 

At the moment, including one's pronouns in communication is not obligatory for staff members. 'If a policy email were sent out saying that the use of pronouns is expected, there may be more resistance than desired', reflects Isolde Buysse, administrative and technical staff (ATP) representative in the Academic Council.

'Changes in culture like these require more time, but we aim to spread and promote them as much as possible', she adds. 

Gender neutral restrooms 

'Labor regulations make it difficult to implement gender neutral restrooms', says Dries Ceuppens, LOKO diversity delegate. The law prescribes that, in certain contexts, KU Leuven has to provide separate toilets. This doesn't necessarily mean that gender-neutral toilets are not allowed, but rather that they cannot be the only toilets present. 

Thus, a good balance between the legal framework and the demand for gender neutral restrooms still has to be found. Toilets for students and visitors, however, are not subject to these regulations.

'While the implementation of a central directive on gender neutral restrooms is not mandatory, we hope faculties will take proactive steps', says Raf D'haese, Diversity Policy office employee. 'Progress is currently moving at different speeds, so the Diversity Policy office is striving to accelerate the overall process."

Apart from legal considerations, the issue of safety also comes into play: do students feel safer in a gender neutral environment? 'The less spaces are confined, the more people feel a sense of safety and social control', D'haese explains. 'Because of this social control, it is likely that inclusive restrooms are safer.'

Action plan

According to Rigel, queer students experience difficulties communicating their needs to KU Leuven. 'Maybe more attention needs to be directed towards Stura and LOKO. They know our representatives and can get more things done,' they say. Rigel feels that being heard as a non-binary student is challenging. D'haese suggests students share their feedback with Stuvo's LGBTQIA+ contact person, or send an email to the diversity policy office.

In any case, plans are underway. An action plan was set up based on the final report of an expert LGBTQIA+ working group, which requires further implementation and coordination by the diversity policy office. The plan was approved last fall by the Academic Council, KU Leuven's highest consultative body. According to D'haese, this demonstrates the university's commitment to gender inclusion initiatives. 

'By July 2025, all 17 actions should be implemented', says D'haese. 'However, there remains uncertainty regarding the specific details of these actions as no communication has been issued yet.'