LGBTQ+ Resources

Diversity rainbow buttons in a bowl.

An All Inclusive Campus

The University of Hawai’i System, along with the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, is committed to building an inclusive community that supports and advocates for all students. We welcome all members of our campus community to our campuses: transgender persons, māhū, and people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

All members of our campus community deserve a work and educational environment free from harassment or bullying based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

Advocacy

As a student of the University of Hawaiʻi, you have rights and responsibilities, including protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. Title IX protects gender-based harassment, including harassment based on actual or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

All Gender Restroom

UH West Oʻahu has an all-gender restroom on the first floor of the Campus Center Building (C Building), E Building, and ACM  Building.

Confidential Employee

UH West Oʻahu’s designated confidential employee is a clinical psychologist. Information provided to the confidential resource will not be provided to the Title IX Coordinators.

Dr. Steven Taketa
UH West Oʻahu Clinical Psychologist
B-216 in the Library Building
(808) 689-2975
taketas@hawaii.edu

In addition, the UH System has designated Confidential Advocates (complainant/victim resource) to all ten campuses. 

Leslie Cabingabang, MSW 
UH Senior Confidential Advocate
(808) 348-0432/(808) 341-4952
advocate@hawaii.edu

Commission on LGBTQ+ Equality

UH Commission on LGBTQ+ Equality promotes a safe and inclusive environment by creating a culture of equality, acceptance, and respect throughout the University of Hawaiʻi System.

The commission advocates the creation and implementation of and adherence to Hawaiʻi State and UH policies that serve the needs of the LGBTQ+ students, staff, and faculty.

This system-wide commission is composed of faculty, staff and students appointed by the President of the University of Hawaiʻi, representing each of the 10 campuses. At least two commissioners shall be appointed from each of the campuses of the university system. Please visit the UH Commission on LGBTQ+ Equality webpage for more information and resources.

UH West Oʻahu Commissioners:

If you are a faculty or staff member, you may also contact the UHM Equal Opportunity Office/ Affirmative Action: (808) 956-7077 (voice/text) http://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo

Hawaiʻi Community Resources

Inclusive Syllabus Statements

  • In this course it is expected that we will respect and embrace our differences while engaging in discussions and in class activities.
  • The expectation in this class is to voice opinions that positively add to the discussions that are not exclusive of any students’ race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, class, etc.
  • This course relies heavily on discussion and the exchange of diverse ideas. Please make sure to be respectful of your fellow students and their opinions, even (and especially) when you disagree with them. As we will deal with controversial issues in this course, the environment we create as a group should reflect an attitude of open-minded curiosity and interest in one another’s points of view. Please be aware that, as we work to create this environment, inflammatory racist, homophobic, transphobic, sexist, or discriminatory language or behavior will not be tolerated.
  • This course might tackle social issues in this class in terms of gender, race, and class.  Disruptive language will not be tolerated. Disruptive language includes, but is not limited to, violent and/or belligerent and/or insulting remarks, including sexist, racist, homophobic or anti-ethnic slurs, bigotry, and disparaging commentary, either spoken or written (offensive slang is included in this category).

National Resources

Preferred Name Policy

I. Purpose

    A.  To set forth a policy to support students who have a preferred name, such as a Hawaiian name, an international name, or a name that is concurrent with their gender identity.

    B.  The goal of this policy is to enable a consistent preferred name experience across the University of Hawai‘i system and use of one’s preferred name wherever legal name is not absolutely necessary.

    C.  The option to use preferred name shall be available to all students as long as the use of the preferred name is not for the purpose of fraud or misrepresentation.

To read the entire policy, click the link below. 

Safe Zone Program

The Safe Zone program’s objective is for trained participants to utilize their gained knowledge and skills to foster a safe and inclusive community for LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff so as to promote social justice in the University of Hawaiʻi System. Upon completion of Safe Zone training, participants will be invited to become advocates in the University of Hawaiʻi System Safe Zone Program.