University of California gender questions expands to 6, including ‘gender queer’ and ‘gender nonconforming’

University of California has modified questions about gender identity and sexual orientation for admissions applications to reflect no less than six choices for students when checking off their “gender identity.”

One new question posed to candidates is “How do you describe yourself? (Mark one answer).”

The choices are: “male; female; trans male/trans man; trans female/trans woman; gender queer/gender non-conforming; and different identity.”

The application does ask “what sex were you assigned at birth, such as on an original birth certificate?” giving the two choices of male or female.

The College Fix reported the update and contacted  Shelly Meron, a spokesperson for the UC Office of the President, who clarified that the “questions are voluntary and responses to the questions will not impact admissions decisions.”

The Genderqueer Pride flag photo Marilyn Roxie

Another question added to the application this year asks students’ sexual orientation, and offers “heterosexual or straight,” “gay or lesbian,” or a fill in the blank category.

“Allowing the LGBT community to self-identify also supports the university’s priority of creating an inclusive and welcoming campus environment,” Meron stated in an email to The Fix.

“In 2014, UC began adjusting its student record systems to allow students to indicate a preferred name to appear on campus records along with their legal name. And many campuses have already begun converting single-stall restrooms into gender-neutral facilities in existing buildings, where practicable,” according to UCR Today.

“In addition, the university is initiating a two-year project designed to coordinate and promote interdisciplinary study of genders and sexualities across the UC system,” UCR Today added.

The university educates 233,000 students enrolled in 10 campuses statewide.