Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Transgender Studies course creates understanding, dispels stereotypes

Matt Kailey was born female. Now he’s male. Perfect background to teach a new Transgender Studies class at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Kailey started his own gender studies at age 10, growing up in Iowa and Nebraska. “I knew I had gender issues, but I didn’t know how to define them,” says Kailey, who began his transition from female to male in 1997 at age 42.

The adjunct professor, and former editor of Out Front, in the MSU Denver Women’s Studies program approached the university last year about creating the Transgender Studies course, offered for the first time this spring.

Q. What are the key points that students learn in the course?

A. I hope to give them a foundation about the trans movement. It’s a very basic course designed for those who don’t know anything about it. I introduce a vocabulary, the history and medical, social and mental health issues along with the impacts it can have on relationships, spirituality and the culture itself. I want them to come away with a better understanding of this population and how to work with them, and also to get rid of any stereotypes, if they have any.

Q. What does the course involve? What specifically will students be doing?

A. They’ll be writing profiles on transgender people and then giving a report on them to their classmates. It’s important to me that the students get to know transgender people who are contributing to their communities. I’m also bringing in transgender speakers who are very well known in Colorado. Max Wolf Valerio is author of ‘The Testosterone Files,’ and Eden Lane is a very successful broadcast journalist.

Q. Why are transgender studies important, and why should they be a part of university curricula?

A. It’s hugely important because right now our movement is making real progress locally and nationally with our legal rights. Colorado in particular is amazing with regard to legal protections, but that’s not happening on the national level. There’s much more work to do there, and education is the key.

Q. Do you see transgender studies as an emerging area of research or attention in higher education? If so, why?

A. I do see that happening. It’s increasing, but right now, not that many places offer specific courses. But you’ll see them being added and accepted. They’re on the rise on college campuses because they recognize students need to know about this.

Q. What does it mean to you that MSU Denver approved this course?

A. I’m thrilled but not surprised. Metro State has always been on the cutting edge of diversity issues and at the forefront of most issues, really. The Women’s Studies program is an extremely progressive department — it offers a minor in gender and sexuality and all of this reflects the school’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Metropolitan State University of Denver offers 55 majors and three master’s degrees on Colorado’s most diverse college campus. The Auraria Campus Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Student Services office serves the students, faculty and staff of MSU Denver and other Auraria Campus schools. On April 3, the campus will celebrate a Transgender Day of Visibility, and on April 11, the Auraria Higher Education Diversity Summit will feature a Queer Symposium, including sessions on “Emerging Issues in Queer & LGBTQ Studies” and “Trans* 101 & Beyond.”