Magician Returns to Campus

Magician Peter Boie visited Gardner-Webb University to present his annual show to GWU students. View all photos herehttps://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gwu-today/1572/thumbnail.jp

A Mixed Methods Examination of Structural Bigenderism and the Consequences for Transgender and Gender Variant People

For years, transgender activists and their allies have spoken out about the oppression that transgender and gender non-conforming people experience in relation to societal systems and institutions, due to policies and practices that do not acknowledge non-binary experiences of gender, that do not recognize that one\u27s gender may change over time or may not match cultural expectations for gender expression, and that punish and discriminate against trans people (Gilbert, 2009; Lombardi & Davis, 2006; Markman, 2011; Spade, 2006; WWRC, 2010). Scholars have called for human services professionals and researchers to critique the failures of institutions in society (and the people within them) that continue to reproduce oppressive patterns related to gender (Davis, 2008; Markman, 2011; Spade, 2006; Wilchins, 2004). This dissertation examines the topic of structural bigenderism, using a mixed methods analysis of data based on the lives of transgender and gender non-conforming people in two settings of interest to social workers--social welfare settings and higher education. This study analyzes secondary data from two community-based projects: a qualitative participatory research project in Colorado of 30 transgender people\u27s experiences in higher education, and a national survey conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force of transgender people\u27s experiences of discrimination across a variety of settings (Grant et al., 2011). Qualitative themes provide detail about problematic institutional practices, interactions with people who embody the power of the institution, and suggestions for improving higher education settings. Quantitative findings (with sample sizes ranging from n = 296 to n = 3,480, depending on the model) indicate a general pattern that transgender people who held multiple marginalized identities were at greatest risk of unequal treatment in social welfare settings, being denied access to or thrown out of homeless shelters, being denied financial aid or scholarships, being denied access to gender-appropriate spaces at school, and being prohibited from changing their student records to reflect their gender. Joint data displays explore the role of intersectionality in transgender people\u27s experiences in higher education. The study concludes with a discussion of implications for social work practitioners and educators

Release Recognizes Trafficking Prevention Organization

Tuesday, Nov. 14, Release the Captives held an event to promote Next Generation Nepal (NGN), an organization that works to reunite children who have been trafficked. Kathmandu Kitchen of Asheville, N.C. provided food samples, while students made prayer flags to observe a Tibetan custom. View all photos herehttps://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gwu-today/1540/thumbnail.jp

Stroup Hall Celebrates the Holiday Season

Stroup Hall residents gathered to decorate holiday-themed jars in celebration of the season. View all photos herehttps://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gwu-today/1545/thumbnail.jp

Transgender Individuals’ Access to College Housing and Bathrooms: Findings from the National Transgender Discrimination Survey

Within higher education settings, transgender people are at risk for discrimination and harassment within housing and bathrooms. Yet, few have examined this topic using quantitative data or compared the experiences of subgroups of transgender individuals to predict denial of access to these spaces. The current study utilizes the National Transgender Discrimination Survey to research this issue. Findings indicate that being transgender and having another marginalized identity matters for students’ access to housing and bathrooms. Trans women are at greater risk than gender-nonconforming people for being denied access to school housing and bathrooms. Implications for practice and research are detailed

\u27Paws Awhile\u27 Comes to Campus

Registered therapy dogs from the local area visited campus with their owners to bond with students. The event, which takes place about once a month, is organized by Dr. Helen Tichenor, director of International Programs. View all photos herehttps://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gwu-today/1563/thumbnail.jp

Honors Holds Annual Murder Mystery Dinner

Monday, Oct. 30, the Honors Student Association hosted its traditional murder mystery dinner party in celebration of Halloween. This year’s event featured a zombie-asylum plot line written by senior Jen Guberman. View all photos herehttps://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gwu-today/1524/thumbnail.jp

Writing Center Debuts New Office

The Writing Center held an open house for its new location in Tucker Student Center. View all photos herehttps://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gwu-today/1569/thumbnail.jp

Students Travel to the Biltomore House

The Office of Student Activities hosted a trip to the Biltmore House in Asheville, N.C. View all photos herehttps://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gwu-today/1546/thumbnail.jp

Differences in mental, cognitive, and functional health by sexual orientation among older women: Analysis of the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Background and Objectives: This study addresses a gap in the knowledge base regarding whether there are differences in mental, cognitive, and functional health between sexual minority women aged 65 and older and their heterosexual counterparts, as well as whether disparities are moderated by age, socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity. Research Design and Methods: This study analyzes 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 21 states. Multivariate logistic regression is used to test the hypotheses. Results: Compared to heterosexual women, lesbian/gay women aged 65 and older report worse functional health and bisexual women report worse cognitive health and more difficulties with instrumental activities of daily living. Disparities are particularly present for women in their late 60s and those in their 70s. While the likelihood of a depression diagnosis tends to be lower for heterosexual women with higher income, the inverse is true of sexual minority women. Additionally, sexual minority women with less education have lower odds of frequent mental distress and activity limitations than those with some college education. Sexual minority women of color have significantly lower odds of frequent mental distress, activity limitations, and use of special equipment compared to white sexual minority women. Discussion and Implications: Findings indicate a need for gerontological services that provide support to older sexual minority women, particularly in relation to cognitive and functional health. Future research is needed to understand risk and protective factors contributing to these disparities, including forms of resilience that occur among older sexual minority women of color