Come next fall, Morehouse College — the nation’s only historically Black all-men’s school in the nation — will begin admitting transgender students who identify as men.
In April, the school’s board of trustees approved a Gender Identity Policy that will allow individuals who self-identify as men, regardless of the sex assigned to them at birth, to be considered for admission.
“In a rapidly changing world that includes a better understanding of gender identity we’re proud to expand our admissions policy to consider trans men who want to be part of an institution that has produced some of the greatest leaders in social justice, politics, business, and the arts for more than 150 years,” says Terrance Dixon, vice president for enrollment management at Morehouse. “The ratification of this policy affirms the College’s commitment to develop men with disciplined minds who will lead lives of leadership and service.”
Dr. David A. Thomas, the president of the college, says the decision to admit transgender students was driven by a greater awareness of gender identity and the college’s need to have a clear policy moving forward.
“We found that when our admission representatives were going out, oftentimes people would ask them, ‘Does Morehouse admit transgender people?’” says Thomas, who has been at the helm of the Atlanta-based school since last year.
“I think Morehouse having the courage to speak to issues of masculinity in today’s environment is important,” says Thomas. “For 152 years, the world has, in some way, seen Morehouse as the West Point of Black male development.”
The announcement was greeted with cheers within the LGBTQ community. Advocates and allies applauded the college for taking a bold move, particularly in light of the reluctance that some HBCUs have expressed when it comes to welcoming transgendered students and criticism from some of the school’s more conservative alumni.
