Nov 17, 2016 - room to communicate support for members who choose private showering and changing areas. To create a safe
Submitted to the Evanston RoundTable - November 17, 2016 Issue
MCGAW YMCA Respect The festive holiday season is near and during the ensuing weeks, we shall be reminded of cherished values such as respect, love, forgiveness, charity, gratitude, and generosity, to name a few. During this great season, we will be reminded of the importance to respect one another, regardless of religion, politics, nationality, ethnicity, culture, gender, or other preferences. Respect is easy to spell and define, but is seldom practiced. What is respect? As a noun, respect is due regard for the sentiments, rights, preferences, beliefs and traditions of the other.
endearing value that ultimately ensures inclusion. Hence, this week, the McGaw YMCA shared with our members a clearly-defined policy regarding transgender individuals. This policy is based upon respect and, as such, we will honor the right of each individual to self-identify their gender. Additionally, we shall heighten privacy by adjusting signage in our aquatic locker room to communicate support for members who choose private showering and changing areas.
ALL GENDER-RESTROOM
To create a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for all of our members (transgender and gender non-conforming members alike), we recently trained all staff, as well as our Board of Directors.
At the McGaw YMCA, respect is an
Gender identity should be respected and affirmed. For more than 130 years, the McGaw YMCA has responded to social needs. As awareness about the estimated 700,000 people who identify as transgender has grown, so has our concern for their well-being.
EVERYBODY’S LOCKER ROOM ALL GENDER, ACCESSIBLE, FAMILIES
(under 16-year-olds must be accompanied by guardian)
EVERYBODY’S RESTROOM
One in five transgender people report being homeless at some point, and almost 20 percent have been denied medical care.
risk of workplace discrimination. Perhaps most concerning is the awareness that 30 percent of LGTBQ youth has attempted suicide. Respect empowers us to be a community of “one people” who welcome and affirm each other. This is both our duty and delight.
Mark A. Dennis, Jr. President and CEO McGaw YMCA
Unfortunately, the unemployment rate is twice as high for transgender people, and those who are employed face increased
1000 Grove Street
www.mcgawymca.org
847-475-7400
