Earlier tonight, Columbia updated its Gender-based Misconduct Policy to include “threats or non-consensual disclosure of a person’s gender identity or that a person is transgender or non-binary”. In other words, outing a student as trans or gender non-conforming, or otherwise harassing a student for their gender identity or expression, is now recognized as a form of gender-based misconduct and can be punishable as such. This policy change is a significant victory for the safety and security of trans and nonbinary students at Columbia.

The change is also a victory for No Red Tape, as it was one of the demands made in the group’s Title IX demand letter last March. In a recent statement on Facebook, NRT thanked one hundred on- and off-campus groups who helped draft and sign the demand letter for their support.

Screenshot of the updated policy