When Protections Disappear: How Policy Shifts Reshape Campus Life
A first-year student at Brown University walks into a campus building, scans the hallway, and hesitates. The gender-neutral restroom they’ve relied on for months now bears an “out of order” sign. Down the hall, another bathroom labeled “women” feels exclusionary. For transgender and nonbinary students, this scenario isn’t hypothetical—it’s a daily reality exacerbated by recent policy changes tied to federal guidelines.
In 2020, Brown University finalized an agreement with the Trump administration to resolve a Title IX complaint related to gender equity. While the details were framed as procedural, advocates argue the compromise undermined protections for trans students, making campus spaces “functionally inaccessible.” This shift highlights a broader tension: How do institutional decisions, even those framed as neutral, disproportionately impact marginalized communities?
The Backstory: Title IX and the Trump Era
Title IX, enacted in 1972, prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. For decades, its protections were interpreted narrowly—until the Obama administration expanded them in 2016 to explicitly include gender identity. Schools were instructed to allow transgender students to use facilities matching their identity and to address harassment claims robustly.
The Trump administration reversed this guidance in 2017, arguing that “sex” should be defined strictly as biological sex assigned at birth. While schools weren’t required to roll back protections, the shift empowered critics to challenge policies supporting trans students. At Brown, a complaint alleged that gender-inclusive housing and restrooms violated the rights of cisgender students. The resulting 2020 settlement required Brown to maintain single-sex dormitories and restrooms while permitting gender-neutral options “where feasible.”
On paper, this seemed like a compromise. In practice, critics say it created a hierarchy of access.
The Ripple Effect on Daily Life
For trans students, small logistical changes can have outsized consequences. Take restrooms: Brown’s agreement prioritized maintaining single-sex facilities, which often left gender-neutral options underfunded or inconsistently maintained. “You’ll find a gender-neutral bathroom locked or closed for ‘renovations’ indefinitely,” says Alex, a nonbinary junior who requested anonymity. “Meanwhile, the women’s room next door has pristine conditions. It sends a message about who belongs.”
Housing policies also shifted. While gender-neutral dorms still exist, they’re no longer the default for first-year housing assignments. Trans students must now opt into these spaces through a separate process, which many describe as invasive. “You’re forced to out yourself to administrators just to feel safe in your dorm,” says Mara, a transgender sophomore. “It isolates you before you’ve even made friends.”
Healthcare access adds another layer. Brown’s health services previously covered hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and mental health support tailored to LGBTQ+ needs. Post-settlement, students report longer wait times and more bureaucratic hurdles. “It feels intentional,” says Jamie, a graduate student pursuing HRT. “When staff are overworked and underinformed, trans students slip through the cracks.”
A Climate of Uncertainty
Beyond logistics, the policy shift altered campus culture. Some faculty and students argue the administration’s willingness to compromise with federal officials signaled tacit approval of exclusionary attitudes. Incidents of misgendering and harassment have risen, according to LGBTQ+ advocacy groups on campus.
“The university says they support us, but their actions tell a different story,” says Taylor, a member of Brown’s Trans Empowerment Project. “When you negotiate away protections to avoid political friction, you’re choosing convenience over lives.”
Brown’s administration defends its approach, stating that the agreement preserved “as many inclusive options as possible” under federal constraints. In a 2021 statement, President Christina Paxson emphasized ongoing commitments to diversity, pointing to initiatives like expanded mental health resources and bias training. Yet students argue these measures don’t offset the tangible losses.
A National Debate Hits Home
Brown’s situation isn’t unique. Over 20 states have introduced bills restricting transgender rights in education, from banning sports participation to limiting healthcare. While Rhode Island isn’t among them, federal policy shifts create a ripple effect—schools like Brown, reliant on federal funding, face pressure to align with changing interpretations of Title IX.
Critics see this as part of a broader strategy to erode LGBTQ+ rights under the guise of “fairness.” Supporters of stricter sex-based policies argue they protect privacy and prevent abuse, though evidence of such risks is scant. What’s clear is that transgender students bear the burden of these debates.
The Path Forward
Students and allies aren’t staying silent. Protests, open letters, and partnerships with organizations like the ACLU have kept pressure on Brown’s administration to revisit the agreement. Some propose creating a task force led by trans students to advise on policy changes. Others demand transparency about how federal guidelines influence decision-making.
The Biden administration’s reaffirmation of Title IX protections for transgender students in 2021 offered hope, but reversing localized agreements remains complex. For now, Brown’s LGBTQ+ community continues advocating for a campus where access isn’t conditional.
As one student put it: “We’re not asking for special treatment. We’re asking to exist without barriers.”
Why This Matters Beyond Brown
The stakes extend far beyond one university. Institutions nationwide are navigating how to support marginalized students amid shifting political landscapes. Brown’s case underscores a troubling trend: policies framed as “neutral” often ignore historical inequities. When accessibility becomes negotiable, the most vulnerable pay the price.
Education should be a gateway to opportunity, not a maze of obstacles. For transgender students, that ideal remains unmet—but their resilience in fighting for inclusion lights a path forward.
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