A new policy clarifies the procedures for collecting information about sex and gender at Queen’s.

“The university strives to ensure that members of our community don’t encounter discrimination or harassment related to gender identity or gender expression,” says Irène Bujara, University Advisor on Equity and Human Rights. “This policy and guidelines will help staff, faculty and students develop inclusive and respectful information gathering tools and processes.”

The policy advises anyone creating or administering in-take forms, record documents and survey to consult the guidelines on collecting information about sex and gender at Queen’s.

“The guidelines ask people to consider whether it is necessary to collect information concerning sex and gender in order to achieve their purpose,” Ms. Bujara says. “If this information is required, the guidelines outline best practices for ensuring the language used is inclusive and free from bias.”

Gender identity is each person’s internal and individual sense of being a woman, man, both, neither, or anywhere along the gender spectrum. Gender expression refers to how a person publicly presents their gender. In addition to its commitment to foster an environment that is respectful and supportive of people from diverse backgrounds, Queen’s has a legal obligation under the Ontario Human Rights Code to avoid discrimination or harassment related to gender identity or gender expression.  

The Policy on Collecting Information about Sex and Gender at Queen’s University is now posted on the University Secretariat and Legal Counsel website. Please submit your comments to policies@queensu.ca by 4 pm on Friday, July 29.