All students need protection

Discrimination of any kind should not be tolerated, which is why the National Day of Silence rally this Friday is important.

If you have time, please stop by the Student Union between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to participate in the wall of hate activity. Students, faculty and guests are welcome to write a hateful or derogatory comment on a brick. The bricks are assembled into a wall that is then knocked down to symbolize UCF's fight against discrimination.

You don't have to participate in the wall of hate, but you should at least stop by and sign the petition to make gender identity part of UCF's non-discrimination policy.

UCF's current Golden Rule handbook states that the college will "promote equal opportunity policies and practices" for all students and faculty, but lacks any protection for gender identity and expression. 

Regardless of your gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, marital status or possible disability, your school offers you protection while on its campus.

Adding gender identity to the list will give transgender people the protection they deserve. No one should feel unsafe or discriminated against while on UCF's campus.
College is a place for advancing your education, which should not be hindered by derogatory comments or behavior.

Transgender is the term used to describe people whose gender identity or gender expression differs from the one associated with their birth sex, according to the American Psychological Association.
Even if you are not a transgender person, it is important for all UCF students to support policies that eliminate discrimination among students and staff.

Imagine if UCF offered you no support when people harassed you based on your gender or sexual preference? We would not be able to concentrate during classes if we felt singled out based on the characteristics that make us who we are as individuals. 

Discrimination against people with a nontraditional gender identity includes harassment, job loss and violence. Attending college and finding a job after graduation is hard enough without harassment from others.

Providing transgender people a place without such discrimination alleviates some of the stress they experience.

Arizona State and Ohio State, the first and second largest universities in the U.S., already have non-discrimination policies. Clearly, it is time for UCF to join other colleges in sending a message that discrimination of any kind is not acceptable.

If you can't make it to the rally on Friday, please sign the Gender Equality at UCF petition on the GoPetition Web site.