Emilia Dunham, Northeastern University ‘10

Major/Minor: Sociology, Minor in Women’s Studies, and Law, Policy & Society

What motivated you to work on a gender-neutral housing campaign at Northeastern?

“Personally, housing has been a huge issue of mine since coming to college. I was vaguely aware of Gender Neutral Housing programs at other schools only after the middle of my first year. I realized the need for more options, particularly for transgender students.

During the housing application process, I approached Residential Life about options for transgender students, and found they were remarkably limited. The next year I publically spoke about my housing experiences at a student/faculty panel, I helped organize. By my third year, the issue of Gender Neutral Housing became a hot topic as it reached the Student Government Association (SGA). There were some representatives who worked on a proposal, but there was significant opposition from most other SGA representatives and administrators due to cultural and logistical questions.

Instituting any new policy can be an intimidating and monumental task especially depending on the schools […] One thing that worked for us was even though we didn’t know many administrators very well, was that we worked with SGA leaders who were able to speak with administrators to let them know what the needs are and what the University can do to help […] sometimes stories of individuals’ housing situations and/or letters of support from students, faculty, alumni and parents can be helpful given the situation.”

What’s next for you and/or your organization?

“I am currently the full-year Co-Chair of NUBiLaGA (the Northeastern University Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Intersex Queer Questioning and Allied Student Organization). We are working on requesting a budget for a paid-staff Director for our Resource Room, which we acquired last year to aid us in collaboration on campus in order to ensure the furthering of GLBT inclusion on campus. […] I’m also part of plans to develop a “Gender and Sexuality” component within the Women’s Studies Program, where I work. Other goals are in advocating for Northeastern to adopt a clear non-discrimination policy for gender and expression.

We will continue programming and planning meetings for our members and promote inclusion and a safe space at all levels for everyone regardless of not only sexuality and gender identity, but also cultural background, national origin, race, religion, politics and ability.”