For Faculty/Staff
Thinking about Vanderbilt?
Vanderbilt’s Non-Discrimination Policy
Vanderbilt lists “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” in its equal opportunity and affirmative action statement. The Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Disability Services Department (EAD) are responsible for investigating and resolving complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation within Vanderbilt University, whether the complaints originate internally or externally.
Surrogacy and Adoption Coverage
Vanderbilt University recognizes that faculty and staff may build their families in different ways. In order to support eligible employees, the University offers an Adoption/Surrogacy Assistance benefit to help reimburse certain medical and/or legal expenses in the successful adoption of a child or a surrogacy parenting arrangement.
Trans-Friendly Health Care Coverage
Vanderbilt has opted into both Navitus’ requirements and benefits regarding hormone therapy and Aetna’s clinical policy regarding Gender Reassignment Surgery. Aetna’s Transgender Services Brochure is the most up-to-date brochure on transgender services from Vanderbilt’s insurance provider. Employees are still subject to requirements outlined by Navitus and/or Aetna for eligibility.
VU Medical Center Program in LGBTQ Health
VUMC has been recognized as a leader in LGBTQ2S+ healthcare equality by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). VUMC is one of only four hospitals in Tennessee with such a distinction. The Program for LGBTQ Health within the Office for Diversity in Medical education provides training at the School of Medicine, School of Nursing and numerous departments in relation to LGBTQ2S+ medical concerns. The program also coordinates the Trans Buddy Program, referrals to LGBTQ2S+-competent providers, and VUMC’s Transgender Health Clinic.
Talk it out: to get connected to LGBTQ2S+ faculty/staff already working at Vanderbilt, email our office to see who can help you connect to our employees already here at Vanderbilt.
Resources for Current Faculty/Staff
Faculty/Staff Monthly Newsletter
Join our monthly newsletter to get relevant updates from the Office of LGBTQI Life. LGBTQ2S+ speakers, films, and events that are open to faculty/staff are featured regularly.
LGBTQI Affinity Group for Faculty and Staff
The LGBTQI+ Affinity Group will host regular meetings aimed at providing resources for LGBTQ2S+ employees and allies, including social networking, meetups, guest speakers, support navigating workplace interactions and more. This group is open to all LGBTQ2S+ faculty and staff, as well as allies. To get involved, reach out to Linzie Treadway, Project Manager for the Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Nashville Resources
Visit our Nashville Resources page to learn about LGBTQ2S+ resources in the Music City. Social, professional, support, and activist opportunities are featured.
LGBT Policy Lab
Bringing together faculty from five schools (College of Arts & Science, Divinity School, Law School, Peabody College and School of Medicine) and numerous departments (economics, political science, MHS, WGS, sociology, public policy studies, religious studies, divinity, law, LPO, teaching & learning, and health policy), the Policy Lab supports a wide range of discovery and learning activities within the Vanderbilt community. Contact the LGBT Policy Lab Director, Kitt Carpenter, for more information.
Gender Affirmation Toolkit
Vanderbilt University has launched the Gender Affirmation Toolkit to reinforce its commitment to providing a safe and inclusive working environment for all employees. The Gender Affirmation Toolkit features a set of guidelines that serve as resources for employees who identify as transgender, genderqueer or non-binary, as well as the managers who support them, to navigate workplace biases or discrimination and ultimately build a more inclusive and welcoming work environment. The toolkit includes helpful information on topics such as confidentiality and privacy, names and pronoun use, and support for employees who are transitioning. Contact the EDI office for more information.
Be the Change.
Teaching Beyond the Binary in the University Classrooms
A guide from the Vanderbilt Center for Teaching on including issues of gender identity into the classroom and setting up affirming classroom environments for all students.
Speak OUT
Speak OUT, LGBTQI Life’s Speakers Bureau, is an initiative that seeks to create dialogue within the Vanderbilt community about issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Panelists of students share their personal stories about being LGBTQ2S+ or allied during presentations to classes, residence hall communities, campus organizations, university departments, and other campus spaces, engaging in active conversations with audiences about their identities and experiences. To bring a Speak OUT panel to your class, residence hall, organization, or department, please visit our website to fill out the Speak OUT request form.
Straight Facts about LGBTQI Life
Straight Facts is a dynamic and flexible program that allows the initiator to custom-fit their needs to the needs of your audience. This is a great hour to hour-and-a-half program to bring to a class, residence hall, or student organization to learn more about the LGBTQ2S+ community and gender & sexuality. To bring a Straight Facts about LGBTQI Life presentation to your class, residence hall, organization, or department, please fill out the Straight Facts about LGBTQI Life request form.
P.R.I.D.E. Training
The P.R.I.D.E. (Pursuing Respect, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity) program aims to create a visible network of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and two spirit (LGBTQ2S+) individuals and their allies by providing an avenue through which any member of the Vanderbilt Community can show their support. The training is three hours long and happens two-to-three times per semester. PRIDE is a program for those who are actively willing to be allies and therefore shouldn’t be seen as compulsory. Sign up here.