University of Michigan School of Social Work Dean’s TBLG Matters Initiative History

In 2007, during U-M President Mary Sue Coleman’s tenure (August 1, 2002-July 30, 2014), the Office of the Provost released an on-campus climate report from the Transgender, Bisexual, Lesbian & Gay Task Force.  

In response, the School of Social Work created a TBLG task force to consider the recommendations and identify goals:

• Provide students, faculty and staff with tools and basic knowledge related to LGBTQIA people. 
• Educate about gender identity, gender expression and the realities of life for    transgender people.
• Focus on individuals who are often invisible inside the LGBTQIA+ movement: transgender, gender variant youth, LGBTQIA+  workers, and LGBTQIA+people of color.

The result was the SSW Dean’s TBLG Matters Initiative.  From 2007-2018, its faculty and student leadership offered successful programming and advocacy to meet these primary goals.  

See Year In Review reports.

Currently, the School of Social Work has woven the goals of the Dean’s TBLG Matters Initiative into the Diversity Equity & Inclusion (DEI) office.  The Dean’s TBLG Initiative will continue its mission under the auspices of the Michigan Social Work DEI office. The DEI office offers educational programming, as well as a nurturing and affirming environment for our LGBTQIA+ students, staff and faculty.