2023-03-18
You all know words come hard to me. So writing an essay like this is something that takes up a lot of my mental energy to do. But it's vital.
Over the past week, I have read the several statements from senior leaders of the University of Pittsburgh with respect to the three anti-transgender events that will be taking place on-campus over the next month. With all due respect to those leaders, I find their words hollow and weak (although Dean Hamoudi of Law's was somewhat stronger than the others, so I thank him for that.) What I haven't seen, though, is any message from the mouth of Chancellor Gallagher. This hurts me deeply, as I have always considered him to be an ally of LGBTQIA+ rights, having put together all of the necessary parts and procedures that allowed me to come out as transgender in January 2016 (anyone who tried to be trans at Pitt during his predecessor's reign knows what I'm talking about; I needn't repeat it here). The goodwill and deference I had for him has tanked. I had been looking forward to seeing him much more regularly (if not daily) come this fall, as he is set to return to the Department of Physics & Astronomy as a professor. Now I feel I'm going to look at him with disappointment.
Closer to home (so to speak), I had a recent meeting with the University's CIO, for whom I report as an employee of our IT department. I asked him what those of us who are the direct target of hateful rhetoric being spurted by guests of the University should do with regard to maintaining a safe working environment. His response was to "work from home that day". I didn't have a response to that at the time, but I do now.
Horseshit.
Working from home is the opposite of what I want from my career. I have made my nearly 25-year career in IT by being a part of the scientific research. I wake up in the morning to watch the science happen, and to take pride in my part to making it happen. Working from home separates me from the joy I get from seeing such incredible discoveries taking place before my eyes. So no; I will not work from home these days.
Almost in the same breath as his WFH comments, our CIO stated his expectation that all of us, as members of Pitt IT, are to be "leaders". Well, allow me to express my leadership. My presence in the face of those who would celebrate and profit from my harm or death is leadership. I owe it to the LGBTQIA+ community of the University to be visible, and to stand up in the face of these individuals and tell them "you are wrong, your words are hateful, and we don't want you here."
Except, though, that I have no interest in being appropriate in the face of an existential threat. My words are "TRANSPHOBES FUCK OFF".
I'll see yinz out there for Dear Ole' Pitt, even if our senior leaders are not.
All I have to add is a message to Chancellor Gallagher: Русский военный корабль, иди нахуй